BDB Pitmans has a large and specialist infrastructure practice. It has particular expertise in securing planning consents and other authorisations for major rail projects. The group also has considerable Parliamentary expertise, with five ‘Roll A’ Parliamentary Agents. As a result of this, it has substantial experience in the promotion and opposition of railway bills. The practice has an established track record of advising on complex rail projects.  Practice head, Nick Evans is highly regarded, along with Duncan O’Connor, Mark Challis and Sarah Clark.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Great knowledge of this sector.'

  • 'Mark Challis: Wise and highly experienced team leader, involved in many of the most significant rail projects in London in recent years. Sarah Clark: careful and thoughtful with great charm.'

  • ‘The firm has great strength and depth in this area. Nick Evans has extensive experience of rail schemes and detailed knowledge of hybrid bill and private bill procedure. He gives clear, practical and frank advice to clients.'

  • 'Duncan O'Connor has extensive experience of rail schemes, including light rail. He is a good team player and gives well-informed and commercial advice.'

  • ‘The team at BDP Pitmans are very responsive to instructions from the client and can be relied on to provide urgent advice in a clear and concise manner. The team are knowledgeable and have experience on a breadth of legal matters.’

  • ‘Duncan O'Connor is a stand-out partner at BDP Pitmans, very knowledgeable in his field and highly responsive in picking up and progressing workstreams and working to tight deadlines.’

  • ‘The team has a diverse range of expertise and understands the challenges and pitfalls of the rail sector.’

  • ‘Duncan O'Connor is a very experienced advisor, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Duncan to potential clients, given his excellent knowledge base and approachable demeanour.’

Key clients

  • East West Railway Company
  • HS2 petitioners
  • Network Rail
  • Transport for London
  • Northumberland County Council
  • Transport for Greater Manchester
  • National Highways

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Nick Evans

Other key lawyers

Mark Challis, Sarah Clark, Duncan O'Connor