Eversheds, Lovells and Simmons secure places on Tube Lines panel

Tube Lines has completed a review of its law firm panel, with Eversheds, Lovells and Simmons & Simmons all winning roles advising
the consortium on its routine legal work.

It is understood that SJ Berwin and London boutique Fenwick Elliot also pitched, but missed out on places on the panel.

The review, overseen by head of legal Nicole Geoghegan, saw firms tender for work across eight key work streams – contract drafting, advice under the contract with London Underground, employment, health and safety, environment, real estate, competition and company law.

Simmons, which has a longstanding relationship with London Underground and its predecessor Infraco JNP, has scooped the lion’s share of instructions, winning roles in contract drafting, competition, real estate, environmental and health and safety.

Lovells, which advised on the Tube Lines public-private partnership and refinancing, has also been retained for real estate, company, corporate governance and contract work relating to London Underground.

The firm developed a relationship with Tube Lines after its 2002 acquisition by the private consortium comprised of Bechtel, Amey and Jarvis.

Meanwhile, Eversheds has scored its first instructions from Tube Lines after winning an advisory role on contract drafting, alongside Simmons.

The employment advisers have yet to be finalised.

The review represents a fine-tuning of Tube Lines’ legal advisers, which previously included Hammonds.

Geoghegan told The Lawyer: "It's a refinement and rationalisation of the panel. By appointing firms to carry out particular types of legal services, the firm gets greater visibility of our business activities and we get better quality legal advice as a result, at improved value for money."

Tube Lines is responsible for maintaining the London Underground’s Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines.