Railways

Privatisation and the introduction of a new regulatory framework has meant that the UK heavy rail network has generated massive public and media interest in the last few years. These changes have created a wealth of new commercial and legal documentation - a development that reflects the huge number of organisations now involved in running the rail industry.

Members of Chambers have been heavily involved in recent developments, advising the Office of the Rail Regulator, accepting appointments as arbitrator from the Railway Institute Dispute Resolution Council and under the Railway Industry Dispute Regulations, and as Inspector in public inquiries following major rail accidents.

Against the backdrop of these new developments, the spotlight has fallen on a number of major public enquiries. As advocates, advisors, arbitrators or inspectors, members of Chambers have contributed to a number of high-profile proceedings, including those arising from the Southall and Ladbroke Grove crashes, the Heathrow Tunnel collapse and, most recently, the derailments at Killiecrankie and Chancery Lane tube station.

Away from the limelight, much of our work concerns disputes relating to the technical and commercial operation of all aspects of railway networks. These can range from trains and rolling stock (such as in the litigation between Virgin Trains and Alstom arising out of the design and manufacture of the Pendolino (tilting) trains for the West Coast Main Line), through track equipment and maintenance issues, to the design and construction of stations (such as in London Underground v. Pillar Broadway on the commercial development of Ealing Broadway, London Underground v. Kenchington Ford on the Jubilee Line extension, and in advising Eurostar on the Waterloo International Terminal).

One of our members appeared in the Technology and Construction Court hearing of Costain Ltd v Bechtel Ltd, one of the most high-profile construction cases of 2005, which related to a dispute over contract administration on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL) project. Other barristers from Keating Chambers have been actively involved in the resolution of disputes arising from the CTRL and from the Jubilee Line extension, by arbitration, adjudication and alternative forms of dispute resolution.

Keating Chambers also has substantial experience of rail projects outside the UK. For example, members of Chambers have advised the MTRC in Hong Kong on a dispute with the Hong Kong Airport Authority relating to the construction of a ground transportation centre, given advice in disputes on the Singapore MRT, advised on the Taiwan High Speed Rail project, and been involved in a US $100M dispute with Amtrak in Washington DC.

With our extensive and wide-ranging expertise, both in the UK and internationally, we are pleased to assist our clients with all aspects of rail industry projects and disputes.

Further Information
For further information on how our members can assist you, please contact the Senior Clerks, John Munton and Nick Child, in the first instance, on +44(0)20 7544 2600. They and their teams of Clerks will be pleased to advise you on the member of Keating Chambers appropriate to your requirements.