Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has been appointed to Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Legal Panel for Government agreement (RM6360) under Lot 2 – Major Projects and Complex Advice, and Lot 5 – Rail Legal Services. The firm will continue providing specialist support to central Government departments, public sector bodies and related organisations.
Through Lot 2, Burges Salmon will advise on major and complex programmes, guiding clients through evolving project lifecycles, managing risk proactively and delivering multi-disciplinary legal insight to support both new and established policy areas where traditional approaches may not yet exist.
With more than two decades of experience in the rail sector, the firm’s appointment to Lot 5 – reflecting the highly specialised nature of rail law and its importance to national transport objectives – ensures Burges Salmon will continue to provide expert guidance on rail initiatives and large-scale industry projects.
The news follows last month’s appointment to Lot 1 – Core Legal Services, which gives Government access to full-service legal support for day-to-day matters. Through Lot 1, the firm will continue delivering wide-ranging legal advice to support major programmes, regulatory compliance and dispute resolution.
Being selected across all three Lots highlights Burges Salmon’s long-standing reputation for high-quality legal counsel and trusted client service. Its collaborative working style and inclusive culture underpin more than 20 years of partnership with Government.
John Houlden, partner and head of Public Sector at Burges Salmon, comments: “We’re delighted to have been named on Lot 2 and Lot 5 of Crown Commercial Service’s Legal Panel for Government, alongside our recent appointment to Lot 1. This recognition reflects the depth of expertise within our team and our ability to deliver strategic, high-quality advice on some of the UK’s most complex and nationally significant projects. With a long-standing track record in the rail sector and major projects, we look forward to continuing our collaborative work with Government and fellow panel firms to provide innovative legal solutions that support public sector objectives and deliver value for taxpayers.”
Burges Salmon’s Public Sector team advises on all aspects of Government contracting, procurement, major projects, regulatory issues, investigations and litigation. The firm works with central departments, agencies and suppliers, offering practical legal support tailored to the demands of Government operations.
Its transport team covers the full Transport sector — rail, highways, road transport, aviation and marine and ports — with expertise spanning funding, operations, construction, development and disputes. Having advised the rail industry for more than 20 years, the firm has built one of the UK’s largest rail-focused legal teams, supporting clients on the sector’s most significant challenges.
Chris Simms, partner and Head of Transport at Burges Salmon, adds: “Our appointment to Lot 5 underlines our long-standing commitment to the rail industry and wider transport sector. With over two decades of experience advising on complex rail projects, we are proud to continue supporting Government in providing safe, efficient and sustainable transport solutions. This milestone reinforces our role as experienced advisers in shaping the future of UK transport and driving innovation across major infrastructure programmes.”
Crown Commercial Service helps the public sector secure maximum commercial value when procuring common goods and services. In 2024/25, CCS enabled commercial benefits worth £5.3 billion, supporting high-quality public services and delivering value for taxpayers.