Winckworth Sherwood advises DfT on promotion of HS2 Phase One Act

Winckworth Sherwood advised the Department for Transport on the High Speed Rail (London-West Midlands) Act 2017 which received Royal Assent last week.

The Act authorises the construction and operation of Phase One of the high speed train link between London and the West Midlands.

The law firm has been advising the DfT since 2012 when the hybrid Bill process began, with the team advising on all elements of the Bill as it progressed through Parliament and acting jointly with Eversheds Sutherland.

Winckworth Sherwood said the work of its Parliamentary, Planning and Public Law team involved contributions to the drafting of the Bill, guidance on environmental law issues and advice across hundreds of days of Committee hearings in Parliament.

Its team was involved in the preparation of around 4,500 assurances and agreements given to petitioners to ensure the Bill could progress.

Led by Head of Department, Paul Irving, the Winckworth Sherwood team working on HS2 also includes partners Alison Gorlov and Hazel Anderson, senior parliamentary clerk David Walker, parliamentary clerk Mark Aanensen, senior associates Jane Wakeham and Alex Dillistone, associate Izabella Suberlak and solicitor Chris Mayne. 

Irving said: “This is a significant milestone for public infrastructure in the UK and one that will provide a significant boost to a post-Brexit UK economy. We were first instructed back in 2012 and it has been quite a journey. We are thrilled to see the Act receive Royal Assent, and we look forward continuing to support the HS2 team on its further phases.”