Addleshaw Goddard, Ashurst, DLA Piper and Eversheds Sutherland were selected last month to tier one of the Department for Transport (DfT)’s first £50m rail panel.
As part of the panel appointment, which lasts until 2020, the four firms will act on rail franchise competitions, major rolling stock procurements and infrastructure projects.
Addleshaws head of transport Paul Hirst said the appointment was a huge accolade for the firm’s rail and wider transport team.
‘We’re looking forward to continuing to work closely with the Department on a fascinating pipeline of rail infrastructure and rolling stock projects and the ongoing programme of franchise competitions.’
Osborne Clarke (OC), Linklaters, Norton Rose Fulbright and Stephenson Harwood were also appointed to the roster’s second tier following the review, which was managed by the Crown Commercial Service (CCS).
OC’s head of commercial in Bristol Lara Burch told Legal Business that the process to get on the panel was intensive.
‘It was a really good exercise to go through, both for the department and for us,’ to ensure a good fit, she said, adding: ‘It was testament to the strength of our rail practice.’ Burch said OC anticipates helping the DfT with rolling stock projects and has specialists in other areas such as railway pensions and rail health and safety, an area in which technology is becoming more relevant.
In March, the CCS unveiled its panel for general legal advice services, with 18 firms making it onto a two-tier panel.
The CCS also renewed its panel for finance and regulation, and major or complex projects, extending those contractual terms until 31 January 2018.
The CCS general panel will include Linklaters alongside Bond Dickinson, Burges Salmon, DAC Beachcroft, Dentons, DLA Piper, Gowling WLG, Mills & Reeve, Pinsent Masons, Eversheds Sutherland, PwC and TLT.
PwC’s bid was part of a consortium including Howes Percival, Holman Fenwick Willan and Sharpe Pritchard.
That roster will advise on a range of legal services, including public law, competition, dispute resolution, EU law, pensions and tax law.
kathryn.mccann@legalease.co.uk