Rail Regulator to join White & Case, London

28 June 2004
ORR/25/04

The Rail Regulator, Tom Winsor, has been appointed a partner of White & Case, a global law firm headquartered in New York and with a substantial London office, with effect from 5 July 2004.

Mr Winsor will be working in London.

His practice will be in transport, infrastructure, energy and regulatory dynamics.

Further details are given in a statement issued today by White & Case.

Mr Winsor said:

“I’m very pleased to be joining White & Case.  I am proud of my achievements during my term as Rail Regulator.  In my career, the last five years have been a rich mix of law, economics, business, politics and public administration.  Looking forward, this has provided me with a unique perspective and experience of both the rail sector (in the UK and overseas) and regulatory issues, which I’m immensely looking forward to applying on my return to private practice.”

Under the rules on the acceptance of outside appointments, Mr Winsor applied for permission to accept this appointment.  The Prime Minister, on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, approved the application subject to certain specified conditions which have been agreed with Mr Winsor (for details see notes to editors).

Notes for editors

Period of appointment

1. Mr Winsor was appointed as Rail Regulator and International Rail Regulator by the Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Prescott) for the five years 5 July 1999 - 4 July 2004.

2. From 5 July 2004, under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 the statutory post of Rail Regulator is abolished.  The duties and functions of the Rail Regulator are transferred to a regulatory board called the Office of Rail Regulation, which will continue to be independent of Ministerial control.  The regulatory board comprises five members (a higher number may be appointed) and its chairman is to be Chris Bolt.

Background

3. Tom Winsor is 46.  He has been a lawyer since 1981, and between 1991 and 1999 was a partner in a leading City of London law firm.  Before appointment as Rail Regulator, he specialised in transport, infrastructure, energy, regulation and administrative law.

Cabinet Office conditions

4. The Prime Minister, on the advice of the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments, approved Mr Winsor’s application to accept this appointment subject to the following specified conditions:

(a) That any GB rail practice which Mr Winsor establishes does not, from the date of termination of his term as Rail Regulator (4 July 2004), provide legal advice:

  • for three months to any client in respect of any aspect of GB railways;
  • for six months to any train or freight operating company with GB  railway interests;
  • for twelve months to any company in whose favour Mr Winsor has, as Rail Regulator, determined a legal appeal;  and
  • for two years to Network Rail or any of its subsidiaries.

(b) Furthermore, for two years after Mr Winsor ceases to be Rail Regulator, he would, consistent with his professional obligations, inform the Department of an intention to provide legal advice to any company, other than passenger or freight operating companies in respect of GB railway interests and Network Rail or its subsidiaries, where there are reasonable grounds to conclude that there is a conflict of interest or propriety issue to be addressed.  Mr Winsor would be required to accept as final the Secretary of State’s decision on propriety.

5. The conditions only apply to the provision of legal advice in relation to GB railway interests.

Publications and further information

For more information, see:  http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/
and:  http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.6240
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/10feb04.pdf
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001007001
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.001008004
http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/197.pdf
and
http://www.whitecase.com

Contacts

Tom Winsor:    Tel:  +44 (0) 20 7282 2021 / +44 (0) 7659 153872 
Email: twinsor.orr@gtnet.gov.uk

James Martin, Media Relations, White & Case:   Tel: +44 (0) 20 7397 2926 /
+ 44 (0) 7939 012 011  Email: jmartin@london.whitecase.com

Glossary