Transport
The transport sector is currently experiencing one of its most exciting times, particularly in rail, roads and aviation, the areas in which we have considerable expertise. We have a broad range of rail industry experience dating from the privatisation of the UK railway industry. Our lawyers have advised clients on Railways Act regulatory matters on rolling stock procurement, leasing and maintenance transactions, on the outsourcing of maintenance operations, rail freight matters and on major property and planning transactions and issues.
Our development of rail expertise has enabled us to expand our project finance/PFI and international practice into new areas of rail project finance work - for example, we are currently advising one of the private sector operators of rail services in Argentina on a major project finance development of its total rail capability and operations. In the UK, we work with train operating companies, the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), Strategic Rail Authority and track maintenance and renewal companies.
In the roads sector, we continue to act for the United Kingdom’s Highways Agency in development of their contractual documentation. We have recently secured a major instruction, ASFiNAG, the government agency responsible for Austria's roads, to advise on Austria's first PPP project to develop three new toll motorways in the country. The project has four separate phases but taken as a whole it represents one of the largest PPPs currently in procurement in Europe.
In Aviation, moves towards open skies, code-sharing agreements, and the introduction of low-cost airlines have led to increased competition. This growth however is accompanied by a marked up-turn in litigation and increased international, European and domestic regulation. We act for a number of high profile clients, including major airlines, airport authorities, corporate jet operators and manufacturers. Our aviation group offers a wide range of services including advice on planning and aircraft finance to aviation industry claims and regulatory advice.
Key Contacts
If you would like to speak to us about our Transport services, please contact Richard Lucas