The team at Addleshaw Goddard regularly handles transactions and supports local authorities on public infrastructure issues, from transport-related matters to affordable housing projects. It is noted for its expertise in private-public partnership arrangements and its broad experience of complex procurement matters. Practice co-head Andrew Pettinger is experienced in infrastructure, outsourcing and commercial transactions involving local government bodies, while co-head Michael O’Connor is knowledgeable about public, private and project finance transactions. Sara Gilmore specializes in local infrastructure and partnerships arrangements.
Local government in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Practice head(s):
Andrew Pettinger; Michael O’Connor
Other key lawyers:
Richard Goodfellow; Ian Smith; Sara Gilmore’ Bradley Martin
Key clients
West Midlands Combined Authority
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Manchester City Council
Cheshire East Council/Connecting Cheshire
Cumbria County Council
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
Burnley Borough Council
Cheshire West & Chester Council
York City Council
Luton Borough Council
Reading Borough Council
Derby City Council
Somerset County Council
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council
Salford City Council
City of Stoke Council
Connexin Limited
Warrington Borough Council
Kirklees Council
Greater London Authority / Transport for London
Merseytravel/Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Work highlights
- Advised the Greater London Authority on a very significant procurement for the retrofit of existing public housing with net zero carbon solutions. This evidences expertise on innovative procurement structures and the green agenda.
- Advised a Borough Council on a secondary IT outsourcing involving the disaggregation of the existing service provision and a new procurement for a new Partner. This evidences knowledge of how to deal with complex procurement issues and the delivery of service (including IT) contracts that are critical to local government operations.
DWF
The team at DWF acts for a wide range of local authority clients and is noted for its expertise on public sector funding and subsidy control. It supports clients on a variety of major high-value regeneration schemes and developments, as well as providing a spectrum of legal advice drawing on the broad know-how of the national multidisciplinary team. Jonathan Branton co-leads the team, drawing on in-depth experience in subsidy control and procurement, while co-head Colin Murray is experienced in local government law and major regeneration projects.
Practice head(s):
Jonathan Branton; Colin Murray
Testimonials
‘The difference with this firm is that they are attentive and proactive and they listen. If challenged at any point they are respectful and reasonable in their conclusions. They are excellent team workers and value for money .Lastly and most importantly they are masters in their own fields. They can be relied on to provide excellent advice within very tight time constraints and are very approachable and helpful if there is a last minute drama.’
‘Colin Murray is the Head of Local Government and is the only Partner I have known in 30 years who truly knows and understands local government governance in great depth.’
‘ We have always found the firm to be highly competent, prompt to respond and to have a clear commercial approach in solving issues as they arise. The firm offers very good value for money and has adapted well to the newer ways of working such as remote meetings on Teams. We have been able to source appropriate advice from their national network of offices without difficulty.’
‘As a public sector client we find DWF Law’s Partners and senior legal staff very knowledgeable of our delivery requirements, providing excellent advice that helps us work with private sector developers, as well as securing external funding. Examples include assistance in understanding changes in State Aid rules, public procurement, delivery under the Homes England frameworks and in the application of the NEC suite of contracts.’
Key clients
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Blackpool Borough Council
South Tyneside Council
Swansea City & County Council
Manchester City Council
Cornwall Council
North of Tyne Combined Authority
Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council
Transport for Greater Manchester
Conwy County Borough Council
Work highlights
- Advising the Royal Borough of Greenwich on all of their major regeneration matters over the next two years including the delivery of a masterplan for Charlton Riverside (8,000 new homes and 4,400 new jobs) and several multi-million pound grant-funded schemes.
- Advising Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council on several of its major regeneration projects including the Wirral Waters One project leading to the delivery of 500 new homes, Hind Street Regeneration project involving the delivery of a comprehensive mixed used scheme and a a £22m Maritime Knowledge Hub.
- Advising Transport for Greater Manchester on the competitive procedure with negotiation procurement process for the selection of a bike hire supplier for the entire Greater Manchester region, forming a key aspect of TfGM’s Clean Air initiative.
Pinsent Masons LLP
The practice at Pinsent Masons LLP is active on large-scale regeneration projects and development initiatives including a number of new settlements and garden community initiatives. The multidisciplinary team is able to handle a range of issues, with a particular strength in joint venture and partnership models. This is an area of expertise for practice head Scot Morrison. Mike Pocock is a recognized planning specialist with experience in large-scale development projects. Also to note is senior associate Victoria Douglas who plays a key supporting role in joint venture, partnership and funding arrangements for real estate projects.
Practice head(s):
Scot Morrison
Other key lawyers:
Mike Pocock; Victoria Douglas
Key clients
Manchester City Council
Nottinghamshire County Council
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough CA
London Borough of Harrow
Bracknell Forest Council
Portsmouth Council
Colchester Council
Homes England
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council
Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council
London Borough of Croydon
Scarborough Borough Council
London Borough of Redbridge
South East Wales Corporate Joint Committee
Suffolk Council
Work highlights
- Advised Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and Hampshire County Council on Manydown, a strategically important, £1.6bn major residential-led development scheme being delivered through a joint venture structure comprising of a land area of approximately 843 hectares(2,080 acres) west of Basingstoke and at least 7,800 homes.
- Advised the London Borough of Harrow in respect of the procurement of a private sector joint venture partner for a £2.5bn transformational project to develop three core sites and to deliver a new civic centre in Harrow to support the Council’s regeneration programme.
Browne Jacobson LLP
The practice at Browne Jacobson LLP covers a range of matters for local authority clients including waste collection and disposal matters, infrastructure projects and procurement processes. Michael Mousdale is at the head of the team, with expertise in local government and public procurement. Peter Ware specialises in local authority commercial matters and infrastructure. Alex Kynoch has strong state aid, public procurement, and projects practice with a focus on district heating projects.
Practice head(s):
Michael Mousdale
Other key lawyers:
Peter Ware; Alex Kynoch
Testimonials
‘I have found Browne Jacobson very practical with their advice. They are up to date with developments in public procurement and always give very comprehensive, pragmatic and credible support.’
‘Mike Mousdale is exceptional and an authority on procurement and local government support. He has a detailed understanding of legislation and can explain matters in simple and practical language.’
‘Michael Mousdale led on the matter with support from others. Michael is responsive and available on the telephone or Teams without delay and understood the nuances of challenges of local government and the politics in this Local Authority.’
Key clients
Oxford City Council
Manchester City Council
Derbyshire County Council
Western Riverside Waste Authority
CIPFA
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Work highlights
- Advising the Oxford City Council on a range of contractual documents to deal with financial, property and power supply issues relating to the Council’s largest superhub of electric vehicle charging facility in the UK, core to its zero carbon strategy with a value of £41 million.
- Advising Manchester City Council on all aspects of its ambitious city centre district heating project with a value of circa £20 million.
- Advising Derbyshire County Council/Derby City Council in relation to the settlement of liabilities following the termination of major Energy from Waste PFI/PPP contract.
DLA Piper
DLA Piper’s practice is able to support clients on a broad range of matters, from corporate and commercial projects to outsourcing issues and questions regarding pensions. Of note is its involvement in high value public sector projects. Sarah Bell and Liam Cowell co-head the team. Bell has expertise in commercial projects and joint ventures, while Cowell is specialised in social infrastructure, transport and waste management projects. Gemma Cowap stands out for her knowledge of public commercial trading projects and strategic partnerships.
Practice head(s):
Sarah Bell; Liam Cowell
Other key lawyers:
Gemma Cowap; Lorna Pattison; Maria Pereira
Testimonials
‘We have a long-standing relationship with DLA going back a number of years. This allows us to have positive conversations about our requirements with a supplier who is sensitive to our needs and objectives. It also means that although DLA provide specific specialisms, there is a high degree of collaboration and very positive support wherever we need it.’
‘We have worked with Liam Cowell for just over two years and he has been positive in finding us innovative solutions to difficult problems. His experience in the PFI sector is invaluable in this and being able to consider problems from all angles. Liam has been supported brilliantly from this team by Lorna Pattison and Maria Pereira who are both flexible and very focused on finding appropriate solutions.’
‘Still the best, worked with the team for many years, they provide realistic and pragmatic advice, an approachable team.’
Key clients
Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council
Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
Halton Borough Council / Mersey Gateway Crossing Board Limited
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Liverpool City Council
Liverpool Vision Limited
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Transport for Greater Manchester
Transport for the North
Westminster City Council
Wirral Borough Council
Sciontec Developments Limited
Work highlights
- Appointed by Sefton Council as their legal advisers with regard to the development of what will be an iconic Marine Lake Events Centre in Southport.
- Advised Sciontec Developments Limited (part owned by Liverpool City Council) on strategic development sites and how it may grow its footprint across the Knowledge Quarter.
- Advised on the set-up and investment strategy of a new company, LCR Ventures Limited (“LCRV”), which (supported with GBP7.5 million funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and in conjunction with the North West Innovation Agency) will provide business incubator services and proof of concept investment funding to high potential SMEs in the Liverpool City Region. Several NHS trusts are involved in the collaboration.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
The team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP is praised for its ‘deep understanding of local government clients’ needs’. Key areas of work include regeneration schemes, public sector infrastructure projects, local authority housing developments as well as governance and strategy advice. Together with Scott Dorling in London, Suzanne Benson co-heads the practice; she specializes in major projects and the development of housing projects. Also to note is Richard St John Williams, who focuses on affordable housing.
Practice head(s):
Suzanne Benson; Scott Dorling
Other key lawyers:
Richard St John Williams; Matthew Holbrook; Darren Ashworth; Dan Butler
Testimonials
‘The team work well together, across a range of specialisms to offer a responsive and professional service to Local Authority clients. They share a broad understanding of the drivers, constraints and legal complexity of local government businesses, and this, combined with the detailed knowledge and experience of each field, results in an efficient and effective service. They are good at ensuring the Brief is accurate, at setting realistic fee estimates and at alerting clients to approaching fee budget caps. Individuals are approachable and offer practical solutions to problems.’
‘I have worked with many individuals within Trowers, and all have been approachable, knowledgeable, and focussed on solutions to problems. They bring energy and drive to the team.’
‘The North West Affordable Team provide a holistic service with access to specialist Practitioners at a national level. The strength and depth of the service provided has been built up over 10s of years practice, working in the sector advising Government, Registered Providers, Local Authorities and other stakeholder maintaining long lasting relations with clients as a trusted, knowledgeable and skilled partner.’
‘Deep understanding of local government clients’ needs. Able to provide practical advice from often vague central government guidance.’
‘Suzanne Benson: Hugely experienced and able to get to the crux of a matter quickly and provide robust, actionable advice.’
Key clients
Warwick District Council
Bury Council
Lancaster City Council
Urban Growth Company and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Guildford Council
Wirral Council
West Midlands Combined Authority
Lewisham Council
Southwark Council
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
Warwick County Council
Stockport Homes
Work highlights
- Advising Warwickshire County Council on the establishment of the Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund (WRIF)as a mechanism for implementing a programme of investment ranging from local communities and enterprise, through property and larger scale business interventions.
- Acting for Warwickshire District Council on a development and collaboration agreement for the delivery of 248 new affordable homes in Kenilworth along with the related financing: an acquisition and development finance facility to a joint venture between Vistry Partnerships and the Council’s housing company, Milverton Homes
- Advising Bury Council on strategic transactions relating to regeneration of the town. This has included advice, working alongside Deloitte, on strategic land acquisitions (including two shopping blocks) with associated lease backs for a new civic hub in Radcliffe.
Weightmans LLP
A broad spectrum of support services to local authorities is at the core of Weightmans LLP’s practice, ranging from regeneration projects and property transactions to procurement issues. The team also has capabilities in issues of child care and adult social care. Simon Goacher leads the team, with significant experience on governance and conduct investigations involving members of local authorities. Key practitioner Vincent King is an experienced projects and commercial lawyer, while former BLM public sector head Paul Tarne joined the team in summer 2022.
Practice head(s):
Simon Goacher
Other key lawyers:
Vincent King; Paul Tarne
Key clients
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
York City Council
Liverpool City Council
LLG (Lawyers in Local Government)
Rutland County Council
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
Rotherham MBC
EM Lawshare
North West Legal Consortium
St Helens Borough Council
Work highlights
- Advising Hertford County Council in the drafting and procurement of their £150m, five year Smart Highways framework.
- Acting for Cheshire Fire & Rescue Services in relation to their £24m co-location of the ambulance service, fire service and police services into a single headquarters superhub together with the sale of the exiting sites,
- Acting for Flintshire County Council in relation to their £35m redevelopment of Theatr Clwyd, a public arts theatre in Mold.
Clyde & Co
BLM and Clyde & Co merged in July 2022 – the combined team now operating under the Clyde & Co banner has a track record of supporting local governments as a trusted advisor. The team is particularly experienced in complex contentious matters; senior associate Nicholas Leigh specialises in claims involving allegations of physical and sexual abuse.
Other key lawyers:
Stephen Lintott; Natalie Puce; Nicholas Leigh
Key clients
Rotherham MBC
Salford City Council
Wirral MBC
Knowsley MBC
Sheffield City Council
Oldham MBC
Lancaster City Council
Stockport MBC
Manchester City Council
Halton Housing
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Lancashire County Council
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service
Rochdale MBC
Blackpool Council
Lancashire Police
London Fire Brigade
Crown Commercial Services
Work highlights
Freeths LLP
With a large client base of local councils, the team at Freeths LLP is described as ‘approachable, knowledgeable and prepared to respond in detail and at short notice’. One area of recent innovation is the organization of public-private joint ventures training workshops for board members of local authority councilors. Practice head Nathan Holden in Birmingham is experienced with property projects. Ian Tempest specialises in property law, PPP and regeneration work. Jackie Heeds has experience in infrastructure and commercial transactions procured through public private partnerships.
Practice head(s):
Nathan Holden
Other key lawyers:
Jackie Heeds; Ian Tempest
Testimonials
‘Can do approach and collaboration working.’
‘They are prepared to offer discounted rates under the EMLS framework, their people are professional and approachable, and the offer a streamlined service in terms of confirming instructions.’
‘They are approachable, knowledgeable and prepared to respond in detail and at short notice.’
Key clients
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Milton Keynes Development Partnership
Buckinghamshire Council
Cherwell District Council
Solihull MBC
Mansfield District Council
Enfield Council
Nottinghamshire County Council
Cambridge City Council
Leicester City Council
Derby City Council
Milton Keynes Council
Telford and Wrekin Council
Walsall Council
Kettering Borough Council
North West Leicestershire District Council
Broxtowe Borough Council
London Borough of Ealing
Lincoln City Council
West Northamptonshire Council
North East Lincolnshire Council
Nottinghamshire Police Authority
London Borough of Bromley
Kent County Council
Corby Borough Council
Merton London Borough Council
Hertfordshire County Council
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
Nottingham City Council
East Northamptonshire District Council
Cheshire East Council
Rugby Borough Council
Huntingdonshire District Council
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Luton Borough Council
Rushcliffe Borough Council
North Lincolnshire Council
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority
Newark & Sherwood District Council
Oxford City Council
Worcestershire County Council
Central Bedfordshire Council
Harborough District Council
Bolsover District Council
High Peak Borough Council
Charnwood Borough Council
East Lindsey District Council
Leicestershire County Council
Old Bolsover Town Council
Rushmoor Borough Council
Shropshire Council
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Gloucestershire County Council
Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Comb
York City Council
North Yorkshire County Council
Derbyshire Dales District Council
Isle of Wight Council
Stratford Upon Avon District Council
Peak District National Park
Ashfield District Council
Peterborough City Council
Coventry City Council
South Staffordshire Council
Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service
Boston Borough Council
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority
Bassetlaw District Council
Chesterfield Borough Council
Bedford Borough Council
Lincolnshire County Council
Doncaster Children’s Trust
Dronfield Town Council
Staffordshire County Council
Daventry District Council
North Hertfordshire District Council
North East Derbyshire District Council
Erewash Borough Council
Wolverhampton City Council
Plymouth City Council
Herefordshire Council
Fenland District Council
London Borough of Sutton
Melton Borough Council
Cotswold District Council
East Hertfordshire District Council
Wigan Council
Warrington Borough Council
Cumbria County Council
Halton Borough Council
Work highlights
- Advised the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority on a digital regeneration project to create a new full fibre backhaul network comprising over 212km of ultra-fast gigabit ready broadband across all 6 Districts comprising the Liverpool City Region.
- Advised Wigan Council on a £130m project to secure the redevelopment of Wigan Town Centre.
- Advising Cumbria Council on a major called-in inquiry and S106 agreement (including representation at S106 hearing) in relation to the proposed development of a new underground metallurgical coal mine and associated development at former Marchon site, Whitehaven.
Hill Dickinson LLP
Described as ‘experts in their field’, Hill Dickinson LLP’s team is experienced in public procurement, regeneration and governance issues among others. The team is able to draw on expertise from the firm’s health business group, its public procurement and construction practices. Mark Fitzgibbon oversees the team; he undertakes public procurement, commercial contracts and regeneration projects. Peter Winnard joined as partner in November 2021 from CMS, contributing experience in large-scale development and regeneration.
Practice head(s):
Mark Fitzgibbon
Other key lawyers:
Peter Winnard
Testimonials
‘Supreme experts in their field and have an assuring and calming influence when dealing with me. Very easy to approach and talk to you about the issue. There is never a focus on cost or time, they make you feel relaxed and are always willing to try and meet you at your convenience.’
‘Complete professionals and understand the subject matter and are very easy to work with. They have an ability to explain things in simple terms and are always clear and concise.’
Key clients
Liverpool City Council
Rochdale Borough Council
Trafford Borough Council
Pendle Borough Council
Oldham Borough Council
Stoke City Council
Stockport MBC
Salford City Council
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Transport for Greater Manchester
Work highlights
- Acting for Liverpool City Council in relation to Festival Gardens – £40m Grant Funding Agreement to Liverpool City Council from a combination of Homes England and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to facilitate the regeneration of a long-derelict site, Festival Gardens by the development out of 1,500 homes and supporting infrastructure. Work undertaken by the firm included GFA negotiation, property work, development agreements and construction contracts.
- Advising Pendle Borough Council on its procurement strategy to identify a new development partner to work with it through a joint venture company set up for the purpose over the next 10 years (valued at around £100m). Ran into 2022 up to award.
- Acting for Oldham Borough Council in relation to the accessible Oldham project: Concluding the work on the roll out of its procurement to identify a partner to deliver a variety of planned civic improvement works over the allotted 4 year term. Procurement was successfully concluded and awarded.
Squire Patton Boggs
The team at Squire Patton Boggs is experienced in advising public-private partnerships on development and strategic regeneration projects. It is noted for its advice on clean air initiatives, and has supported clients on transport and infrastructure projects. Practice head Mark Barker specializes in major development projects. Mark Gaffney ’s expertise includes property joint ventures, development transactions and public sector funding.
Practice head(s):
Mark Barker
Other key lawyers:
Mark Gaffney; Nick Helm; Andrew Herring
Key clients
Leeds City Council
Manchester City Council
Birmingham City Council
Warrington Borough Council
Transport for Greater Manchester
Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund LP
Preston City Council
Lancashire County Council
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Sheffield City Council
Work highlights
- Advising Transport for Greater Manchester (and indirectly 10 Greater Manchester local authorities) on the proposed Greater Manchester Clean Air Plan and the Greater Manchester Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Project.
- Advising Preston City Council on the key strategic redevelopment of the City’s indoor market for a leisure-led scheme anchored by a multi-screen cinema operator and a bowling operator.
- Advising Sheffield City Council on its proposed Clean Air Zone.
TLT
The practice at TLT supports clients on a number of development, regeneration and infrastructure projects. Its work for local government includes planning, procurement and real estate issues. Kuldip Dhanoya leads the group in the North West. Zaqia Rashid, former government legal advisor, joined the team in November 2021. Legal director Debbie Reynolds ‘goes above and beyond expectations’.
Practice head(s):
Kuldip Dhanoya
Other key lawyers:
Jon Hainey; Debbie Reynolds; Zaqia Rashid
Testimonials
‘Very approachable, talk in plain English and offer sensible strategic advice.’
‘The team is very knowledgeable in the area of law, provide timely advice that is easily understood unlike other firms we have used.’
‘Debbie Reynolds is excellent, she provides clear timely advice and in a way so that it is clearly understood by the client departments. She goes above and beyond expectations to meet critical deadlines. She is very knowledgeable about her area of law and is willing to impart that knowledge to others.’
‘Debbie Reynolds – down to earth, approachable and deeply talented.’
Key clients
Warrington Borough Council
Cheshire East Council
Oxfordshire County Council
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council
Work highlights
- Providing land assembly and strategic planning and highways advice to Cheshire East Council on the high profile Middlewich Eastern Bypass scheme, a £74M new bypass around Middlewich town centre, providing a new route between the A54 Holmes Chapel Road and the A533 Booth Lane to the south of Middlewich, significantly easing town centre congestion.
- Advising Oxfordshire County Council on land assembly, highways, strategic planning and statutory consenting matters surrounding a series of major highway infrastructure improvements, including the access to Didcot Garden Village, which was awarded £218 million of HIF Forward Fund monies from Central Government.
- Appointed by Oldham Borough Council to act on the purchase of The Spindles / Town Square Shopping Centre, covering 460,000 square feet.