Darren Fodey Email & Phone Number

I am a Partner in Stephenson Harwood's Rail team which forms part of Stephenson Harwood's Transport and Trade area of focus. Working in rail throughout my career, I am a "Leading Individual" for Rail in the UK (Legal 500) and am described as a "professional and knowledgeable individual[s] who are good fun to work with" and "excellent on the detail" (Legal 500). Railways regulation is a speciality, as long as rail industry agreements, rail operations and commercial contracts, offering commercial and pragmatic legal advice directly set in the context of rail businesses. As Partner Sponsor for the Stephenson Harwood LLP SHout (LGBT+) network, I'm an advocate for diversity, inclusion and social mobility. Having worked in-house on secondment to an infrastructure manager and train operator, I offer you "the client's perspective", with real insights of working in rail businesses, key drivers and how legal advice is best delivered.My interests include:- rail regulation: I can help you with track/station/depot access regimes and developing bespoke regimes for new infrastructure. Deep knowledge of industry agreements, such as industry ticketing arrangements, the periodic review process and in-life delivery of regulated contracts, as well as offering a regulatory perspective in the planning stage of new projects. Clients include regulated entities, project proponents and financiers of new rail projects.- franchise and concession bids: I can help you with bids to operate passenger franchises/concessions, mobilisations, variations and in-life delivery of new contracts and "direct awards", including franchises, concessions, the new National Rail Contracts and the emergency arrangements implemented as a result of the pandemic. Clients include many of the major bidding groups and a public authority.- operating a rail franchise: I offer experience on dealing with issues emerging from the day-to-day operation of railway services, including delivery of commitments, the impact of external events and commercial contracts to deliver the operation.- infrastructure management and regulation: I can help you with establishing and managing regulatory regimes for the operation, allocation of capacity and charging for the use of railway infrastructure, including on the relevant statutory and regulatory requirements.- rolling stock - I offer you experience on rolling stock delivery, leasing and maintenance, including the key contracts and associated issues.