The Legal 500

Sharpe Pritchard is a recognised leader in public sector work. The firm acts for a large number of public sector organisations, including local authorities, central government bodies and registered social landlords. Although the firm specialises in a variety of fields, it has particular expertise in projects, property, litigation, planning and parliamentary work. The firm is a legal services provider on the Treasury’s Office of Government Commerce Catalist framework.

The firm: By combining expert legal advice with a high level of client service, Sharpe Pritchard has developed a reputation built on excellence and expertise. With 19 partners among a total of 46 fee-earners within the firm, clients are rewarded with close relationships and added value at every step. A number of fee-earners have a background working in-house for public bodies, so the firm understands how the public sector works.

Types of work undertaken: Projects: with a large dedicated team of fee-earners in this area, Sharpe Pritchard undertakes drafting and negotiation of contracts for works, services and supplies, and advises on EU and UK public procurement, joint ventures and public/private partnerships. The dedicated team also handles public sector projects, PFI, PPP and outsourcing, as well as day-to-day contract and commercial matters. It has recently advised local authorities on major waste outsourcing deals, social services provision and education work, including building schools for the future.

Property: Sharpe Pritchard handles a wide variety of property-related work, specialising in large-scale redevelopment and regeneration projects. The firm also acts for providers of social housing and has a dedicated team to deal with the full range of property issues, from drafting leases and licences to dealing with housing stock transfers.

Litigation: the litigation department undertakes a wide variety of litigation, in all levels of court. Sharpe Pritchard has a highly respected judicial review and administrative law team acting mainly for local authorities. Other work includes environmental litigation, injunctions, commercial and property litigation. One of the firm’s partners is a founder member by election of the Technology and Construction Court Solicitors’ Association and has many years’ experience in dealing with disputes arising under construction and engineering contracts.

Planning: Sharpe Pritchard’s planning work covers all aspects of planning, environmental and highways law. The firm principally acts for local and public authorities and NGOs. Work includes advising on and negotiating planning obligation agreements and section 278 agreements. Fee-earners appear as advocates at public inquiries and in the courts and represent clients on all aspects of enforcement, listed buildings, conservation areas and development plans, and provide corporate legal advice to planning and other committees.

Parliamentary: Sharpe Pritchard has long been regarded as one of the leading firms in the field of parliamentary work and has wide experience in the promotion of and opposition to all types of legislation for both public and private sector clients. This includes the promotion of private bills, which are required where a local authority wishes to obtain additional powers to address a particular problem in its area. The firm acted for a large number of major landowners and local authorities opposing the Crossrail Bill. Work also includes the promotion of and opposition to Transport and Works Act Orders and Harbour Revision Orders for corporate clients and public bodies, including harbour authorities. The firm also monitors government legislation, advises on procedure and can draft amendments for consideration by Parliament.

Employment: the firm has an expanding contentious and non-contentious employment caseload. The firm advises public bodies on employment contracts, terms and conditions, procedures, cases of unfair dismissal, race and sex discrimination, equal pay and on transfers of undertakings and terms and conditions of employment, often working closely with other fee-earners on project work. Fee-earners appear in the employment tribunals and the EAT, and carry out work in the higher courts.

Breakdown of work %
Litigation 27
Property 10
Planning 15
Parliamentary 8
Projects 40

Number of UK partners 19
Number of other UK fee-earners 27