With significant firm-wide experience, including one of the largest dedicated rail teams in the UK, we think our track record makes us stand out from the crowd.
Whether you’re a procuring authority, train operator, train manufacturer, infrastructure provider or user of rail, you can trust our commitment to providing real value. We put ourselves in our clients' shoes, working hard to make sure we’re focused on the same goals. That’s where our ambitious, innovative approach really makes a difference. We’ve seen what’s worked well as new technology has emerged and regulations have tightened. It means we’re well-placed to ask the right questions and get the right solutions.
We strive not to think in terms of separate legal services. We prefer to build a legal team that responds to individual client and project needs. Our sector group is made up of lawyers with a broad and deep sector and legal understanding, spanning: franchising and concession arrangements (including bids and the legal aspects of preparation for successful bids); major infrastructure and development projects (including rail lines, stations, strategic freight interchanges and depots and consents for new rail infrastructure); rolling stock procurement, leasing and maintenance; competition; dealing with day-to-day operational, commercial, regulatory, property and planning matters; compulsory purchase and eminent domain (including consent orders and compensation); and management of accident claims and all other rail-related disputes.
We’re proud to have provided sensible, straightforward advice to some of the biggest names in the industry. Clients include The Go-Ahead Group Plc (including Govia, Southeastern, Govia Thameslink Railway, Southern and London Midland), Keolis, Bombardier, Abellio, Freightliner, Nexus, Amey, and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority.
Compulsory purchase/eminent domain, including consent orders and compensation
Dispute resolution (mediation, arbitration and litigation)
Major infrastructure and development projects
Public finance and bond issuance (tax exempt and taxable)
Rail franchising and concession arrangements
Rolling stock procurement, leasing and maintenance.
Examples of work
We have completed equipment finance and leasing deals in the aggregate of more than $5 billion dollars, with individual transactions ranging from $750,000 to $350 million. Many of these transactions helped to finance transportation assets such as aircraft (corporate and commercial) and rail equipment, as well as locomotives and vessels (barges and tankers)
We regularly advise on both heavy and light rail franchising and concession arrangements
Recent examples of our involvement include advising Govia on its bids for the Northern and the West Midlands franchises, and advising Transdev on its bid to operate the Manchester Metrolink
We also advised Govia on its successful bid for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise – the UK's biggest rail franchise – which involved advising on the bid strategy, the franchise agreement and all rolling stock arrangements
We have vast experience advising on all aspects of rolling stock, including procurement. Recent examples include the simultaneous procurement and financing of two new fleets (to be built by Bombardier and Stadler) for Abellio's successful East Anglia franchise bid. The Abellio East Anglia order represents collectively the largest privately-led rolling stock procurement ever seen in the UK. The trains themselves are worth over £1.5bn and, with the associated maintenance arrangements, the total contract value is in excess of £1.8bn
We provide litigation services to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority related to Phase 2 of the Dulles Metrorail Project. It is one of the largest public transportation construction projects taking place in the US right now
We have provided corporate, tax and real estate advice to the North Carolina Railroad Company, which owns and manages the 317-mile rail corridor that stretches from Charlotte to the Port Terminal in Morehead City.
Overview
Overview
Securing financial stability, ensuring service reliability, and keeping passengers happy are just some of the many challenges facing you as a rail industry professional.
You’ll also be on a fast track to meet ambitious sustainability targets, from slashing carbon emissions to electrifying routes and pioneering hydrogen fuel-based trains. Every stop brings us closer to a greener, more efficient future.
Understanding the regulatory landscape, including safety, environmental compliance, contractual obligations, and labour laws, is essential. But with so much to consider, it can easily feel like you’re going off kilter.
Your team
Your rail team
Thankfully, your team of legal experts are ready to guide you through the legal stuff, making your journey ahead as smooth as possible.
Here’s a snapshot of our services:
Rail franchising, national rail contracts, and concession arrangements
Major infrastructure and development projects, including depot work
Rolling stock procurements, leasing, and maintenance
General procurement law compliance
Managing big data, smart technology, contactless payments, e-commerce and driverless cars, smart grids, mobile ticketing, e-medical devices and networking
Dispute resolution matters
Competition law advice
With strong links to teams in the US, we are well-placed to advise on transatlantic rail matters too.
In need of a rail lawyer?
At Womble Bond Dickinson we have an exceptional team of talented lawyers and business professionals who can offer guidance and find the solutions right for your business. We have both broad and niche expertise across all our UK and US offices.
Govia Thameslink Railway on the successful negotiations for a new National Rail contract with the Department for Transport for the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) on the procurement of 10 x 10 car rolling stock units for the Inter City East Coast franchise. The team advised on manufacturing, maintenance, and lease agreements, as well as procurement law for negotiations and bid evaluations
SE Trains (Southeastern) on the leasing and other rolling stock arrangements for its multiple direct award mobilisations since 2014, including advice on depot services and access arrangements
Transdev and Tower Transit on its bus franchise bids, including Greater Manchester. Giving us hands-on experience with timetables, performance, fare simplification, transport access, passenger experience, and rolling out zero-emission buses
Teesside International Airport on its £2.5 million purpose built and fully accredited cargo handling facility, scheduled airline services agreements, air traffic control services, aviation jet fuel supply agreements, and various terminal concession arrangements
North Somerset Council with Bristol City Council, South Gloucestershire Council, and Bath & North East Somerset Council on the £116m project for the restoration of a passenger rail service between Portishead and Bristol
Testimonials
"The rail team is extremely responsive, intelligent and provides detailed counsel tailored directly to the issues raised. They have extensive knowledge coupled with a thorough insight of the rail sector"
Legal 500 2025
"The WBD Transport Team is exceptionally knowledgeable with particular reference to all issues regarding the railway sector. They understand our business and are able to support all our requirements thoroughly and efficiently."
Legal 500 2023
"The team at WBD is highly skilled, knowledgeable and always available to help. They have a wealth of knowledge in the rail and transport sector and have a broad set of capabilities within the team, so there is always a solution to hand."
Legal 500 2023
"The team at Womble Bond Dickinson can handle any piece of work that is thrown at them in the railway sector with great success."
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Contact
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