Helen Bissell

Described as “the go-to lawyer” for station related work by Chambers and Partners Legal Directory.

Helen is recognised as a leader in the field in rail transport by Chambers and Partners Legal Directory, has been awarded Rail Sector Lawyer of the Year in England for 2017 by Corporate Intl magazine, Railway Lawyer of the Year – United Kingdom 2017 by M&A Today and Railway Lawyer of the Year – United Kingdom 2017 by The Lawyer International.  In addition, she is a Thompson Reuters Super Lawyer.

She trained in private practice in London and joined British Railways Board in 1992.  During her time there she was instrumental in formulating the structure and documentation for all UK railway stations and had a central role in train operator franchising.

Helen has substantial experience in advising on large UK rail projects and schemes, which have included new track and infrastructure, new stations and depots (land assembly, legal structure, asset protection and bringing into operational use), major station redevelopments and Station Change.

She is currently advising the Secretary of State for Transport in connection with the redevelopment of Waterloo International Terminal, both to regenerate disused central London real estate and to enable the old international platforms to be used integrally with the adjacent Waterloo station.  She is also advising in connection with the new passenger depot at North Pole depot and in connection with the proposed acquisition by HS2 of Secretary of State owned property.

Helen recently advised Virgin Trains East Coast on their new FRI station leases from Network Rail and London Overground and MTR Crossrail in connection with their new station leases from Transport for London.

She also represented ATOC and RDG in negotiating with Network Rail the new template FRI station lease and incorporated Station Access Conditions.