Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Local government in Yorkshire And The Humber

Bevan Brittan LLP

Bevan Brittan LLP’s local government team is a key name in the market for an expansive client roster of local authorities and their representative bodies, handling a broad scope of mandates spanning commercial contracts, litigation, procurement processes and regeneration schemes. The group is also highly regarded for its knowledge of governance and reorganisation matters, infrastructure projects and issues regarding children’s services. Key names in Leeds include governance specialist David Kitson and Judith Hopper, who focuses on contentious work, particularly PFI disputes.

Other key lawyers:

David Kitson; Judith Hopper; James Teagle; Kyle Duggan


Testimonials

‘A young but well integrated team doing complex work well.’

‘Judith Hopper is very well organised and works well with difficult clients.’

‘Bevan Brittan were friendly, quickly developed a team mentality, were pro-active and had obviously sought to and had developed a rapport and trust with the client.’

‘Judith Hopper (Partner). Solid advice in a supportive, inclusive, team environment and a very positive result for the client. A joy to work with.’

‘Bevan Brittan are my go to specialists in all matters concerning local government. David Kitson is superb in helping me steer my way through these issues. Bevan Brittan have been pivotal and exceptional in dealing with a complex matter. Further, when the matter ticks the “difficult and complex box”, Bevan Brittan can deal with the matter without recourse to counsel.’

‘David Kitson is an exceptional lawyer and an authority on all matters local government. The advice is solid and moreover David is calm and measured when dealing with a client calling him with a complex matter and manages to bring my blood pressure down! David is accessible and will always call me back if cannot take my call. Great pragmatic lawyer.’

Key clients

Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea


Southend-on-Sea City Council


Oxfordshire County Council


London Borough of Merton Council


London Borough of Brent Council


London Borough of Barnet Council


London Borough of Haringey Council


Work highlights


  • Advising the London Borough of Havering on the construction of a Family Welcome Centre which will be the first of its kind in Havering, and will be critical in helping increase the support available for its most vulnerable residents.
  • Advising the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea on the establishment of a £360m framework agreement for use by 21 London Boroughs for community equipment services and successfully acting in proceedings to lift an automatic injunction preventing it from signing the agreement with the successful bidder, following a challenge to the award by the incumbent.
  • Advising the London Borough of Merton and its subsidiary in relation to CHAS’s exit from the LGPS when sold out of the public sector, including dealing with the Best Value pension direction, pensions consultation obligations and replacement scheme design issues including death in service implementation.

Pinsent Masons LLP

Fielding a ‘collaborative and solution-focused team‘, Pinsent Masons LLP‘s Leeds-based group sits within the firm’s substantial national practice, which handles the full spectrum of matters for local government clients and leverages close relationships with a variety of central and local government names. In Leeds, the group is particularly well regarded for its project work, utilising the expertise of national practice head Anne Bowden, who regularly advises on regeneration projects, and Jonathan Riley, who specialises in planning issues. Clients also single out Nick McDonald for praise; he is notably experienced in land assembly and CPO work and has recently been active on housing estate regeneration schemes.

Practice head(s):

Anne Bowden


Other key lawyers:

Jonathan Riley; Nick McDonald


Testimonials

‘Collaborative and solution-focused team who quietly and effectively achieve for their clients. Easy to work with and great quality legal advice.’

‘Nick McDonald is always a pleasure to work with. He has deep knowledge and experience in this area, and is focused on getting to an answer that works for the project.’

‘Anne Bowden is very well respected across the industry, known for her deep knowledge and experience, and more importantly her ability to respond to any given circumstance with solution-focused clear calm advice. She always makes herself available when needed.’

Key clients

Leeds City Council


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council


Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council


Scarborough Council


South Tyneside Council


North Tyneside Council


Durham County Council


Manchester City Council


Sunderland City Council


London Borough of Wandsworth


London Borough of Lambeth


Birmingham City Council


Oxford City Council


Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea


Westminster City Council


Work highlights


  • Acting for Rotherham Council in an urgent £50m rescue funding deal for its flagship town centre scheme Forge Island, with developer Muse, to create a hotel, cinema and restaurants.
  • Advising IAMP LLP (a JV between Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils) on delivery of the 150ha International Advanced Manufacturing Park, which will create 7000 new jobs.
  • Advising London Borough of Wandsworth on its two largest council estate regeneration projects, delivering 3500 homes with an end value of over £1bn.

Walker Morris LLP

Walker Morris LLP's 'clear understanding of local government and its complexities' allows the highly regarded team to 'go beyond the provision of clear legal and procedural advice and encompass wider support'. Under the joint leadership of Ben Sheppard, who handles PPP and PFI mandates, and real estate and regeneration project expert Chris Woodthorpe, the practice's client roster spans local authorities, central government departments, NHS bodies, registered providers and contractors. The group also leverages the knowledge of competition specialist Sarah Ward, construction expert Carly Thorpe and consultant David Kilduff.

Practice head(s):

Ben Sheppard; Chris Woodthorpe


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Ward; Carly Thorpe; David Kilduff; Alastair Robertson; Lynsey Oakdene; Kathryn Vickers; Adam Bertram


Testimonials

‘WM have a clear understanding of LG and its complexities and have been able to apply our requirements when dealing with complex negotiations and contracts. The Team involved in the project were excellent at deciphering the key issues for the Local Authority and explaining the implications clearly – picking up extra requests for work which would better aid understanding and confidence.’

‘David Kilduff and Adam Bertram were keen to ensure that, as the client, I had all the support required to seek decisions from cabinet on complex issues and contractual arrangements with 3rd party organisations.’

‘The Local Government team at Walker Morris have been excellent to work with. We needed specialised knowledge for the sectors we work in and this team have been able to provide exactly that.’

‘WM has been very collaborative and proactive if the input from a different team within WM is needed. There is a seamless organisation of calls and inputs from these teams, still coordinated by the Local Government team so that as a client we are still only dealing with the one primary team on a project.’

‘Within this team we work mainly with 2 individuals who have stood out – Ben Sheppard (Partner) and Adam Bertram (Associate). Adam and Ben have excellent communication skills. This is helpful when trying to get projects completed or understanding when a comprehensive response will be completed. They are both very good at communicating thoughts and insights effectively and in a way which is understandable for a non-lawyer.’

‘The level of expertise and attention to detail is excellent. What is really impressive however is the real understanding of the client’s needs and requirements and the advice and support provided to achieve appropriate outcomes. Customer care is paramount and one feels that one’s matter is in safe hands and that the Team is fully engaged and committed. This goes beyond the provision of clear legal and procedural advice and encompasses wider support for the project.’

‘David Kilduff led the external adviser team and played a key role in delivering the project. All the lawyers involved were excellent but David’s commitment, expertise, support for the client’s officers and members, problem solving and suggestions at critical stages played a large part in ensuring delivery. One cannot praise highly enough how much David’s impressive knowledge and calm demeanour instilled confidence during a complex and often challenging project.’

Key clients

Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council


Kier Property Developments Limited


Hambleton District Council


Kier Construction Limited


Harrogate Borough Council


Cumbria County Council


MVV Environment


Associated Waste Management


Eveleigh LINK Academy Trust


Barnsley Premier Leisure


Work highlights


  • Acting for Hambleton District Council in connection with the establishment, funding and contractual structuring of a joint venture LLP to manage a crematorium.
  • Acting for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council in connection with an innovative project for the development of a town centre digital innovation campus built around two digital media centres.
  • Acting for Hambleton District Council in respect of a threatened judicial review of the Home Office’s proposal to open an asylum accommodation centre at RAF Linton.

Addleshaw Goddard

Addleshaw Goddard‘s local government team ‘meets every challenge put in its way‘ and leverages the firm’s extensive UK network to act for local and combined authorities at a regional and national level. The team is particularly sought out for its transactional expertise with experience across the energy, transport, infrastructure and public services sectors. Other noteworthy areas of expertise span state aid work, development option appraisals, procurement processes and contentious work. Anna Heaton and Ian Smith lead the group in Leeds and specialise in commercial property work and development projects respectively, while Paul Hirst is recommended for his transport sector knowledge.

Practice head(s):

Anna Heaton; Ian Smith


Other key lawyers:

Paul Hirst; Richard Goodfellow


Testimonials

‘The team meets every challenge put in its way, including dealing with bulk volume in short periods of time to tight deadlines.’

‘I have been extremely impressed by AG – they have picked up a couple of our very complicated local authority loan matters and brought them to completion in a very tight timescale and did it within a very constrained legal budget.’

Key clients

West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Borough Council of Calderdale


The Council of the Borough of Kirklees


Merseytravel


London Luton Airport Limited


West Midlands Combined Authority


Maple Grove Developments Limited


Luton Borough Council


Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council


Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive T/A Nexus


Work highlights


  • Advising the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on all elements of legal advice relating to its station’s development programme.
  • Advising Merseytravel on the development of its bus franchising assessment.
  • Advising London Luton Airport Limited on its airport expansion programme.

DLA Piper

Under the leadership of Robert Smith, the Leeds-based practice at DLA Piper is a key contact in the market for projects and procurement work, real estate and planning mandates, financing issues and litigation, with particular knowledge of transport, regeneration, housing and waste matters. Alongside its client base of local authorities, the team is also increasingly acting for private sector clients that work closely with public sector entities. Smith is highly regarded for his transport practice, particularly handling rail and bus related mandates, and is ably supported by Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby, who excels in transport regulatory work.

Practice head(s):

Robert Smith


Other key lawyers:

Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby


Testimonials

‘Local government is a bit of a dark art and the team really understand how it works. This is very impressive for private practice lawyers, especially as our region’s arrangements are complex. They are always there when you need them to provide excellent practical advice within agreed timescales.’

‘Robert Smith and Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby stand out because of their superb knowledge. They provided much needed support to me as an in-house lawyer working in a new fast paced area in a way that I could learn from them and support my in-house client.’

‘The team have clearly taken time to go above and beyond their practitioner expertise and have really taken the time to understand our region’s needs. They genuinely feel like an extension of our own team, and consistently make themselves available to problem solve and work collaboratively.’

‘Robert Smith and Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby stand out because of their outstanding knowledge which transcends excellent legal knowledge to a sound understanding of what we do and how our organisations function. They never fail to be helpful and are capable of developing strong client relationships which give them a deep understanding of our needs. The fact that they are trusted and respected across the sector and we hear advocacy from peers elsewhere in the country give us confidence that they are the best in the business.’

Key clients

West Midlands Combined Authority


Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive


Merseytravel


Transport for Greater Manchester


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Transport for the North


Nottingham City Council


Voi


Gett


Leicester City Council


Transport for Wales


South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive / South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority


Urban Transport Group


Rutland County Council


Lincolnshire County Council


Transport North East


Work highlights


  • Advising TfGM and Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the successful introduction of bus franchising across Greater Manchester, the first such scheme introduced outside London by a local government.
  • Advising on MetroFlow, a novel project for the transfer of a rail line from Network Rail to Nexus, the passenger transport executive for the North East – a novel regulatory transaction and first for local government.
  • Advising Transport for Wales and Welsh Government on support of the Welsh bus industry including funding and partnership arrangements with all local authorities and bus operators in Wales to support continued operation of bus services.

Freeths LLP

Sitting within the firm’s national local government team, Freeths LLP‘s Yorkshire-based practitioners are particularly active on real estate projects, including investment and development transactions. Liz Banks heads up the group in Leeds and advises clients on investment acquisitions, portfolio management issues, land disposals and developments. The group also leverages the knowledge of various team members in Sheffield.

Practice head(s):

Liz Banks


Key clients

Royal Borough of Greenwich


Buckinghamshire Council


Rushmoor Borough Council


Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council


North East Lincolnshire Council


East Northamptonshire District Council


Leicester City Council


London Borough of Ealing


Milton Keynes Development Partnership


Solihull MBC


Mansfield District Council


Nottinghamshire County Council


Walsall Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Gloucestershire County Council


Cherwell District Council


Cambridge City Council


Reading Borough Council


Bassetlaw District Council


Broxtowe Borough Council


Derby City Council


Derbyshire Dales District Council


Kent County Council


London Borough of Bromley


Oxford City Council


Telford and Wrekin Council


Shropshire Council


Leicestershire County Council


Milton Keynes Council


Enfield Council


Nottingham City Homes Limited


East Lindsey District Council


Staffordshire County Council


South Cambridgeshire District Council


Bristol City Council


Nottingham Community Housing Association


North Yorkshire County Council


Ashfield District Council


Central Bedfordshire Council


Kirklees Council


West Northamptonshire Council


Charnwood Borough Council


London Borough of Richmond upon Thames


Rugby Borough Council


Nottingham City Council


Luton Borough Council


Newark & Sherwood District Council


Worcestershire County Council


Plymouth City Council


Somerset County Council


Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council


Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council


York City Council


Folkestone & Hythe District Council


Sheffield City Council


Herefordshire Council


Merton London Borough Council


High Peak Borough Council


Hertfordshire County Council


Boston Borough Council


Bolsover District Council


Rushcliffe Borough Council


Huntingdonshire District Council


East Hertfordshire District Council


Birmingham City Council


Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council


South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority


Isle of Wight Council


Harborough District Council


London Borough of Sutton


Blaby District Council


Melton Borough Council


Chesterfield Borough Council


Wakefield Metropolitan District Council


Wokingham Borough Council


Bedford Borough Council


North East Derbyshire District Council


Peterborough City Council


Cheshire East Council


Scape Group Ltd


North Northamptonshire Council


Old Bolsover Town Council


Amber Valley Borough Council


Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service


Derbyshire County Council


Erewash Borough Council


Stoke on Trent City Council


Lichfield District Council


Forest of Dean District Council


Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority


Arc Property Services Partnership Ltd


Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority


Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council


Ashfield Homes Ltd


City of Lincoln Council


Corby Borough Council


Cotswold District Council


Coventry City Council


Daventry District Council


Fenland District Council


Harrogate Borough Council


Kettering Borough Council


Lincolnshire County Council


North Hertfordshire District Council


North Lincolnshire Council


North West Leicestershire District Council


Northampton Borough Council


Nottinghamshire Police Authority


Peak District National Park


Sedgemoor District Council


South Staffordshire Council


Stratford Upon Avon District Council


The Borough of Oadby & Wigston


Transport for the North


West Yorkshire Fire & Rescue


Wolverhampton City Council


Middlesbrough Borough Council


The Council of the Borough of South Tyneside


Durham County Council


Northumberland County Council


Gateshead Council


Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council


Wigan Council


Warrington Borough Council


Cheshire West and Chester Council


Halton Borough Council


South Lakeland District Council


Sefton Council


Allerdale Borough Council


Eden District Council


Cumbria County Council


Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council


London Borough of Hackney


London Borough of Camden


London Borough of Newham


London Borough of Hillingdon


Defence Infrastructure Organisation


The Cornwall Council


Tamworth Borough Council


Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service


Mole Valley District Council


Waverley Borough Council


Guildford Borough Council


Runnymede Borough Council


Spelthorne Borough Council


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Leeds City Council


Wakefield Council


Leicestershire County Council


London Borough of Lambeth


West of England Combined Authority


West Midlands Combined Authority


The Police & Crime Commissioner for Kent


Swindon Borough Council


Southampton City Council


Bath and North East Somerset Council


East Sussex County Council


Gravesham Borough Council


Surrey County Council


Orbis Reporting Group


Cornwall Council Reporting Group


Ipswich Borough Assets Limited


London Borough of Havering


Stevenage Borough Council


London Borough of Barking & Dagenham


Exeter City Council


The West Midlands Growth Company


Cambridgeshire County Council


Havant Borough Council


Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council


Ware Town Council


Wantage Town Council


Buckinghamshire Advantage


Gloucester City Council


Harlow Council


Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce


Derbyshire Building Control Partnership


Broxbourne Borough Council


Castle Point Borough Council


Darlington Borough Council


Cheltenham Borough Council


Rochford District Council


Ipswich Borough Council


Liverpool City Region Combined Authority


Oxford City Housing Limited


South Somerset District Council


Work highlights


  • Advising North East Lincolnshire Council on the acquisition by the council of the Freshney Place shopping centre and ongoing work around the repurposing space to revitalise the area.
  • Advising Shropshire Council on unlocking air quality impact environmental law constraints to obtaining planning permission for the council’s Shrewsbury North-West Relief Road project.
  • Advising Leeds City Council in connection with the disposal of various brownfield land sites for housing development.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's multi-disciplinary local government group is praised for its knowledge of procurement processes, real estate and planning issues, and infrastructure projects, and acts for a varied client roster of local authorities, central government departments and public bodies. The group's industry expertise spans the energy, leisure, waste, education and third sectors and it is also active in regulatory issues and governance work. Key Leeds-based contacts include Andrew Hirst, who heads up the heat networks practice; construction expert Vicky McCombe and Helen Robinson, who provides support on infrastructure and regeneration projects.

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Hirst; Vicky McCombe; Helen Robinson


Key clients

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council


Bath & North East Somerset Council


Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council


Bristol City Council


Broxbourne Borough Council


Cambridgeshire County Council


Chelmsford City Council


Cheltenham Borough Council


Cheshire East Council


Cherwell District Council


City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council


City of York Council


Copeland Borough Council


Cornwall Council


Cumbria County Council


Darlington Borough Council


Devon County Council


Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council


Dover District Council


Durham County Council


East Hampshire District Council


East Riding of Yorkshire Council


Eastbourne Borough Council


Eastleigh Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Advising Redcar & Cleveland Council on the termination of its office accommodation PFI, involving multiple sites across the Borough with a variety of complex property arrangements.
  • Appointed by Solihull Council to advise on the procurement of a significant heat network project to supply public and commercial buildings in Solihull Town Centre with both heat and power.
  • Advising Hampshire County Council on its waste service treatment PPP contract and HWRC contract with Veolia.