Leading Individuals

Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Electoral in London

Bates Wells

The elections practice at Bates Wells is well-reputed for its expertise in campaigning and party political matters and is capable of handling a broad range of issues in this space. Public policy and lobbying expert Simon Steeden leads a team that is capable of advising on electoral and public affairs laws and regulations, the registration of new political parties and campaigning entities, and electoral finance matters. The team is also well-equipped to advise domestic and cross-border campaigning groups on the impact of the Elections Act 2022, an area for which Suhan Rajkumar is a key contact. With the 2022 arrivals of consultant Bob Posner, an electoral expert who joined from an in-house position at the Electoral Commission, and Eleonor Duhs, a data privacy expert who arrived from Fieldfisher, the team is further strengthened in its ability to provide regulatory advice to public bodies and elected officials.

Practice head(s):

Simon Steeden


Other key lawyers:

Bob Posner; Eleonor Duhs; Suhan Rajkumar


Key clients

38 Degrees


Avaaz


Group of Liberal Democrat Peers


LexisNexis


Lexology


Oxfam


Work highlights


  • Advised 38 Degrees on its internal infrastructure for compliance with electoral law whilst engaging in public-facing advocacy in the UK, and on the impact of electoral and lobbying law on specific campaign ideas.
  • Advised a new regionally-focussed political party on structural and registration options.
  • Advised a new UK campaigning entity affiliated with an established US not-for-profit on its establishment.

Sharpe Pritchard LLP

Sharpe Pritchard LLP‘s elections team stands out for its ‘unrivalled knowledge‘ of matters surrounding the work of returning officers. The team is instructed by several returning officers to handle contentious matters surrounding contested elections and has acted in numerous High Court election petition challenges to this effect. Under the leadership of electoral and parliamentary expert Alastair Lewis, the team is also capable of advising on electoral law and regulation compliance. In addition to his ability to handle election conduct challenges, Emyr Thomas is also a key contact for general electoral and polling day queries.

Practice head(s):

Alastair Lewis


Other key lawyers:

Emyr Thomas


Testimonials

‘Experience which can be traced back over a hundred years. Intimate knowledge of the law and an involvement in a large percentage of all election work.’

‘Emyr Thomas is clearly the pre-eminent lawyer in this field.’

‘Particular expertise over generations, bringing unrivalled knowledge and sound advice to local government in need of advice.’

‘Emyr Thomas and Alastair Lewis have simply unparalleled knowledge and experience of parliamentary law. There is, quite simply, no one better informed and no one with better judgement about how to approach petitioning Select Committees on Hybrid Bills.’

‘Extensive knowledge in a niche and complex area of law which is critical in reaching the right decision when urgently needed.’

‘Emyr Thomas certainly requires an “exceptional availability” score for being on hand in the early morning following local elections to provide advice. Excellent advice.’

Key clients

The Returning Officer for Buckinghamshire Council


The Returning Officer for Oldham Council


The Returning Officer for Selby District Council


Work highlights


  • Advised the Returning Officer for Buckinghamshire Council on a successful defence of challenge to conduct of local government election by election petition.
  • Advised the Returning Officer for Selby District Council on a successful defence of challenge to conduct of local government election by election petition.
  • Advised Returning Officer for Oldham Council on a successful defence of challenge to conduct of local government election by election petition.

Astraea Linskills

Astraea Linskills‘ elections team is trusted to advise the Conservative Party, as well as several of its MPs, agents, and councillors, across a range of electoral matters. The firm is particularly well-versed in handling contentious matters and has acted for Conservative elected officials in defamation, libel, and false advertising claims and disputes with potential electoral consequences. The team also has a record of advising on a wide variety of political investigations. The team is led by Liverpool-based elections specialist James Roochove, who boasts extensive experience acting in contentious matters related to fraud claims and is also capable of handling claims related to defamation and libel. Key contact Nama Zarroug has experience handling party complaints proceedings and electoral investigations and is also based in Liverpool.

Practice head(s):

James Roochove


Other key lawyers:

Nama Zarroug


Testimonials

‘From the very start, the team were extremely attentive. My initial consultation was with several specialist lawyers from the firm to best work out which services I would require, and which lawyer was the best fit for me. I found that even once the need for their services was finished, the team continued to follow up and support me, which was an additional service and made me feel genuinely valued as a client of theirs. I also felt that I could really talk to the lawyers I was dealing with. They were extremely understanding and took my case on board with a genuine passion to achieve the best results. In future, I would only consider using them.’

‘Whilst all the lawyers I met and dealt with from the firm were incredibly talented, knowledgable and dedicated, special mention has to go to James Roochove. From my first contact with the firm, James responded with extreme speed. I cannot commend enough his efficiency with the way he worked. James’ knowledge was also infallible. His knowledge of case law and precedent off the top of his head, and even more so when he was issuing advice, was impressive. James also proved dedicated and committed from beginning to end, and I cannot thank him enough for his services. I do not have a bad word to say about James and the service I received. I can and do recommend him to anyone.’

Key clients

Lee Anderson MP


Brendan Clarke-Smith MP


Conservative & Unionist Party


Ian Levy MP


Sara Britcliffe MP


Alex Chalk MP


Work highlights


  • Assisted Lee Anderson MP with securing a settlement, including an apology from Google in a statement in Open Court, following threatened action against Google in relation to defamatory adverts about Mr Anderson displayed on Google’s Adsense platform.
  • Advised Brendan Clarke-Smith MP on wide-ranging action undertaken against numerous high-profile individuals in relation to false statements and defamatory posts on Twitter relating to Mr Clarke-Smith’s charity work.

K&L Gates LLP

K&L Gates LLP boasts a record of advising elected officials, political parties, and campaigns groups on a range of issues related to elections conduct, post-Brexit legal concerns, electoral finance matters, and lobbying rules. The team is led by Dylan Moses, who has handled Electoral Commission investigations and notably advises on political, cultural, and campaigning regulations in relation to the return of UK-held cultural artefacts. Investigations lawyer Rosie Naylor is also recommended and has experience advising campaign groups on their formations and activities during regulated election periods.

Practice head(s):

Dylan Moses


Other key lawyers:

Rosie Naylor


Work highlights