‘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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

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

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Matthew Hanslip Ward
Dentons
Hall of fameDentons
Christopher has 33 years' experience at Dentons, works right across the government, energy, transport and infrastructure sectors, and is co-chair of the Firm's global energy and global government practices. He specializes in public law, the drafting and negotiation of commercial contracts for governments and regulated companies, and in project development, regulation and privatization. He has advised private sector and government clients on the development/procurement of approximately 40 major projects in electricity, nuclear, oil and gas, railways, water and defense industries, in approximately 25 countries, many of which have been project financed and which have an aggregate value in excess of £90 billion. He has particular expertise in relation to carbon capture & storage and related project development. Christopher has advised on UK and international privatizations, regulation and market reform, including forming regulators, writing numerous laws, licenses and industry codes, in seven countries, and making representations and appearing at regulatory hearings. Christopher regularly advises the UK government, including BEIS, the Cabinet Office, HM Treasury, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the Ministry of Defence and Low Carbon Contracts Company in relation to diverse matters such as procurement law, very large programs of maritime naval contracts, large-scale energy infrastructure, the UK’s participation in European Research Infrastructure Consortia, the UK government's strategic suppliers and electricity contracts for difference. His work for private sector clients often sees him working opposite government or regulators for household name clients, e.g. in relation to carbon capture & storage project development, bids for approximately 30 passenger rail franchises, several NDA nuclear decommissioning contracts, numerous other government procurement programs and in relation to regulatory actions and price reviews. He has often worked directly with government ministers.
Leading associates
Rising stars with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Dentons
Jonathan is a senior associate in Dentons' Energy, Transport and Infrastructure practice, based in the London office. He specifically works within the Rail team and has advised on franchise bids, rolling stock procurement and infrastructure projects. Clients include MTR Corporation, CAF, GB Railfreight and Network Rail. Jonathan has previously completed two secondments: one to ABN AMRO Bank within their Energy, Commodities and Transport team and his second at Dentons' Muscat office within the Projects and Banking practice. Jonathan has also advised clients in the defense, nuclear and postal sectors, including the Ministry of Defence, Royal Mail and the Low Level Waste Repository.
Dentons
Martin works in the Energy, Transport and Infrastructure practice. He specializes in the development and implementation of infrastructure projects, and related regulatory issues. He has negotiated and drafted numerous commercial contracts for participants in regulated industries, and advises in the rail, energy, and defense and sectors. He advises both bidders and government on infrastructure development and financing contracts, and regularly advises on regulatory and procurement issues.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Matthew Hanslip-Ward

Other key lawyers

Jonathan Smith, Martin Watt, Christopher McGee-Osborne, Mark Macaulay