Law firm Stephenson Harwood advises Trenitalia on c2c acquisition

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP provided advice to Italian rail operator Trenitalia on the £70 million acquisition of the c2c UK passenger franchise.

Stephenson Harwood LLP has given guidance to Trenitalia on its entry into the UK rail franchising market, through the acquisition of the c2c (city to coast) franchise from National Express.

c2c operates services between Fenchurch Street, London, and Shoeburyness, Essex, covering 26 stations in east London and south Essex.

“This is a strategically significant transaction for Trenitalia, and we were pleased to have been able to support the company’s entry into the UK market,” said Tammy Samuel, rail partner, Stephenson Harwood. “The firm has significant experience advising clients in the rail sector; combining this with the expertise of colleagues from across the firm’s practice areas – and partnering with Italian law firm Bonelli Erede Pappalardo LLP – allowed us to offer Trenitalia commercially-focused advice in the context of their industry.”

Trenitalia, the passenger rail transportation arm of FS Italiane Group, is one of Europe’s major railway operators. The acquisition is the first step in Trenitalia’s plans to expand in the UK rail passenger market, in line with the internationalisation plans of the entire FS Italiane Group.