22 March 2005 – LAWFUEL – The Law News Network – DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary (“DLA Piper”) has acted for Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) on the renewal of its flagship franchise to operate high speed intercity services on the East Coast Main Line.
The award of the new 10 year franchise to GNER has been confirmed as the biggest deal in European rail history by the UK’s Strategic Rail Authority.
The DLA Piper team was led by commercial & projects partner Andrew Herring, supported by commercial & projects partner Nick Painter, associate Andrew Jones and other members of DLA Piper’s national Transport Team. DLA Piper was instructed throughout by Janet Huck of Sea Containers, GNER’s owners. Clifford Chance LLP acted for the Strategic Rail Authority.
Andrew Herring said: “DLA Piper is proud to have acted for GNER as the first incumbent franchisee to be renewed in open competition since privatisation. Not only has this been the biggest deal, but it sets new standards for the industry. This is a great day for the UK rail industry, and the status of DLA Piper’s rail practice is demonstrated by the fact that we have advised GNER through prequalification to success in this hard fought competition.”
