Hugh James

Hugh James is a leading, full-service UK law firm which is led by the things that matter. 

Our legal support for the rail industry includes a dedicated rail team which supports operators and the wider industry on areas including commercial activities, infrastructure projects, workforce and real estate. Our team comprises experts from across our specialist legal teams, all of whom have considerable experience representing major operators, franchises and contractors.

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Framework

We are appointed to deliver Rail Law services via the Crown Commercial Service’s Public Sector Legal Services framework.

The four-year contract enables us to deliver services to transport and rail clients in the wider UK public sector, in areas including rail transport law, rolling stock, planning and authorisation, and projects and infrastructure.

We are one of only ten law firms across the UK to have been appointed to this lot, reflecting the strength of our Rail team.

Aled Walters is a corporate, M&A and commercial partner who heads the commercial team. Aled advises on corporate and commercial matters, often advising on complex and high-value commercial agreements. He has significant experience advising on complex contracts and deals with a multi-jurisdictional dimension.

We immerse ourselves in your organisation to ensure our understanding of your commercial activities and challenges is as thorough as possible. For example, by placing secondees within our rail clients to ensure knowledge sharing between us and our clients is seamless. This approach helps us to add value by providing dedicated support from lawyers who are always fully up to speed.

Operations – specialist advice on day-to-day rail commercial activities, major strategic projects and complex contractual arrangements.

Dispute resolution – rail disputes including litigation, arbitration, adjudications and ADR.

Procurement – specialist advice on the procurement of rail specific goods and services.

Commercial property – advice in relation to rail stations, depots, signal boxes and general real estate.

Construction and projects – advice in relation to rail infrastructure projects.

Workforce – policies and projects and employment disputes.

Examples of our rail experience include: 

• Managed service agreement for the provision of IT support by Keolis Amey to Transport for Wales.
• Advising on contracts for telecoms providers for fixed and mobile services, WiFi in office premises, at stations and on-board rolling stock.
• Provision, maintenance and support of ticket vending machines; and energy contracts.
• Advising on the terms of the franchise agreement and grants.
• Advising on the amendments to rail operator obligations and consequential amendments of grant agreements.

And many more.