Rail
‘The global reach and breadth of Dentons’s transport practice means that it remains our top choice for international instructions‘. Matthew Hanslip-Ward is at the helm. The team advises on all aspects of the industry ranging from franchises and concessions, projects and infrastructure through to advising on regulations and reform. It is skilled at handling major acquisitions in the rail sector, as well as advising on passenger and freight operations. The group has extensive rolling stock experience and remains busy advising passenger and freight businesses on a diverse range of issues. The London team continues to be involved in various high-profile rail projects around the world. Counsel Martin Watt has particular expertise in rolling stock. Senior associate Jonathan Smith specialises in railway law and regulation and frequently advises on franchising, concessions, rolling stock and commercial contracts. Other key members of the team include Christopher McGee-Osborne who is a known name in the rail and transport sector. Mark Macaulay often advises on significant infrastructure contracts.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Detailed knowledge of regulations and legislation regulating the industry, very much able to articulate how they impact commercial enterprises dealing with rail issues. Martin Watt - excellent knowledge'.
- 'Matthew Hanslip-Ward remains one of the steadiest and knowledgeable advisors in the sector. Always on hand to provide measured, yet commercial and practical advice in high-pressure situations'.
- 'Dentons rail practice represented by Matthew Hanslip Ward and Jonathan Smith is a most valuable partner and key advisor for our international rail operations & maintenance business'.
- 'Their international experience supported by a global network together with in depth knowledge of the industry is one of their key strengths which we highly value'.
- 'Matthew and Jonathan work very effectively with strategic and very practical approaches. Their ability to analyse risks and offer workable solutions is an important value. They are both very responsive, highly flexible, extremely professional and brilliant minds'.
- 'The global reach and breadth of Denton's transport practice means they remain our top choice for international instructions'.
- 'Martin Watt -pragmatic approach and responsiveness. Deep industry experience'.
- 'Jonathan Smith is like a virtual member of our executive team, supporting us with the trickiest issues and bringing a new perspective to commercial challenges'.
Key clients
- MTR Corporation
- Deutsche Bahn
- Arriva
- Virgin
- Stagecoach
- Network Rail Infrastructure Limited
- Alstom
- Transport for London
- Mitsui
- Rail Delivery Group
- MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited
- GB Railfreight
- DB Schenker
- DB International Operations
- Govia Thameslink
- Transdev
- Sainsburys
- Department for Transport
- East West Rail
Work highlights
- Continuing to work on the £18bn+ Crossrail Elizabeth Line concession and, in particular, negotiation of a two year extension to the concession.
- Working on the £3bn rolling stock InterCity Express Programme for new client, the Department for Transport, its first win on the new DfT panel.
- Collaborating with another law firm to work for new client, East West Rail, on the new c.£5 bn railway to be constructed between Cambridge and Oxford (and beyond), representing a strategic new rail connection and the largest of its kind in the market, second only to HS2.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Matthew Hanslip-Ward