Providing an ‘outstanding level of legal support‘, Bevan Brittan LLP
‘s local government portfolio includes advice on governance and reorganisation, contract management, climate change and disputes. The firm combines its Bristol expertise with its national presence across three other locations: London, Leeds and Birmingham. Practice head David Hutton specialises in PFI and PPP outsourcing models, amongst others, while Sarah Lamont is noted for her expertise in employment matters. Senior associate Liz Fletcher brings to bear experience in supporting local authorities with IP issues, ICT contracts, and outsourcing. The team was strengthened by the arrival of Geldards LLP public sector head Bethan Lloyd in early 2022.
Local government in South West
Bevan Brittan LLP
Practice head(s):
David Hutton
Other key lawyers:
Sarah Lamont; Liz Fletcher; Bethan Lloyd
Testimonials
‘Ability and willingness to rapidly respond to unforeseen events when urgent advice is needed Access to a wide range of specialist skills.’
‘We have received good strategic contract advice from David Hutton on several complex matters.’
‘In their respective areas they have demonstrated good experience in their respective areas, the ability to respond quickly and in an agile way to meet priorities, making their advice easily understood by non-lawyers.’
‘Bethan Lloyd has a really broad range of knowledge and experience, and she always responds promptly and pragmatically.’
‘Bethan Lloyd is excellent at striking a balance between highlighting the public law constraints we need to be mindful of, but also helping us to act in as agile and commercial a way as possible.’
Key clients
Welsh Government
Cardiff Council
Birmingham City Council
Sunderland City Council
Oxfordshire County Council
North Yorkshire County Council
Kent County Council
Public Sector Audit Appointments
Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO)
Local Government Association on behalf of 52 Fire & Rescue Authorities
Portsmouth City Council
Lewisham LBC
Haringey LBC
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Work highlights
- Appointed by Welsh Government to advise 29 Local Authorities and Further Education Institutions on the newly established £1.5bn Welsh Education Partnership to deliver a range of infrastructure services up to 30 new education facilities (primarily schools and colleges) in Wales.
- Advising Sunderland Council, as a Smart City, on its £100m+ project to deliver a 5G neutral host network across the city region.
- Advising 52 Fire and Rescue Authorities on remedies issues in multijurisdictional discrimination claims brought by over 10,000 fire-fighters in the context of the Government’s revised plans for public sector pensions reform.
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP fields a local government practice that is praised for its ‘excellent procurement and state aid advice’. The Bristol team, led by Gary Soloman, counts local authority pension schemes, net-zero, and outsourcing amongst its areas of competence. Commercial projects partner and head of education sector Matthew Ramus is regularly sought after for his expertise in statutory interventions. Another key contact is procurement and projects expert John Houlden whose recent work includes regeneration projects and carbon neutrality. Director Paula McGeady‘s strengths lie in planning, highways, and CPOs.
Practice head(s):
Gary Solomon
Other key lawyers:
Matthew Ramus; John Houlden; Paula McGeady; Marcus Harling
Testimonials
‘Excellent procurement and state aid advice, as well as a sharp team that is able to consider issues from all angles.’
‘John Houlden is a pleasure to work with and gives excellent advice on procurement and state aid.’
‘Burges Salmon are first-rate litigators, and are an obvious choice for contentious local government work, especially in commercial or other high-value cases. In high-value pensions and procurement disputes, they are a top choice as well.’
‘John Houlden knows procurement inside out. In this highly technical area, his expertise is invaluable.’
Key clients
The Wales Pension Partnership
Birmingham City Council
Bristol City Council
Cornwall Council
Greater London Authority
Isle of Anglesey County Council
Kent County Council
London Legacy Development Corporation
Northamptonshire Children’s Trust Limited
North Somerset Council
Slough Children First Limited
Stratford on Avon District Council
Torbay Council
West Northamptonshire Council
Work highlights
- Advising Bristol City Council on its ‘City Leap’ initiative, which has received national and international interest along with significant support from central government.
- Advising the GLA and Transport for London on a series of major regeneration projects in the Royal Docks Opportunity Area, the Limmo and Beam Park developments in East London, alongside a number of smaller development projects across London.
- Advising Isle of Anglesey County Council in relation to major energy and regeneration proposals in the area, including a tidal energy demonstration zone and in relation to the council’s port health authority requirements, resulting from Brexit.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Public bodies seek out Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP for its experience in regulatory work, litigation and procurement. The local authority, leisure, as well as the energy sector are further strengths of the Bristol-based team, led by Newcastle partner Iain Greenshields. Infrastructure projects are handled by Jonathan Bower and Charles Robson, while Victoria Redman is well versed in advising on planning and environment matters. Compulsory purchase orders (CPOs), highways, and town and country planning form part of Richard Guyatt‘s portfolio.
Practice head(s):
Iain Greenshields
Other key lawyers:
Jonathan Bower; Charles Robson; Victoria Redman; Richard Guyatt
Testimonials
‘WBD have a very skilled and experienced team who have guided us every step of the way and have gone above and beyond the call of duty many times.’
‘WBD’s partners are highly experienced and have provided excellent leadership in their respective fields.’
Key clients
Hampshire County Council
City of York Council
Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
South Tees Development Corporation
North Somerset Council & West of England Combined Authority
Greater Cambridgeshire Partnership
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority
Durham County Council
Sedgemoor District Council, Somerset West and Taunton Council, North Somerset Council & Somerset County Council
Fareham Borough Council
London Borough of Sutton
Tees Valley Combined Authority
Northumberland County Council
Newcastle City Council
Cleveland City Council
Hartlepool Borough Council
Sunderland City Council
Darlington Borough Council
Middlesbrough Council
Bristol City Council
Greater London Authority
South Gloucestershire Council
Kirklees Council
Portsmouth City Council
Broxbourne Borough Council
Hertfordshire County Council
London Borough of Lewisham
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Dover District Council
Folkestone and Hythe District Council
Somerset West and Taunton Council
Work highlights
- Advising on the procurement of a heat network project in Solihull town centre in order to help it achieve its net-zero carbon targets.
- Advising Kirklees Council on the Transpennine route upgrade with an estimated project cost of £1.5 billion.
- Advising South Tees Development Corporation (STDC) in relation to all aspects of a joint venture for the ownership, operation, upgrade and expansion of the electricity distribution infrastructure of the 4,500 acre Teesworks site.
Ashfords LLP
‘The team just work exceptionally well’, remarks a client about the public sector team at Ashfords LLP, which is based in Exeter and Bristol, and covers the whole gamut of local government issues. Practice head Lucy Woods supports clients throughout the full lifecycle of public sector projects, while Jessica Taylor is well versed in advising on construction and engineering law. Also central to the team are employment specialist Charles Pallot and property litigator Sian Gibbon. Robin De Wreede combines real estate expertise with knowledge of public sector matters, including regeneration and development projects, as well as acquisition and disposal.
Practice head(s):
Lucy Woods
Other key lawyers:
Jessica Taylor; Charles Pallot; Sian Gibbon; Robin De Wreede
Testimonials
‘Robin de Wreede is an exceptional property lawyer. His speed of response conceals the detail he gives and the analysis behind that advice – he has that lovely knack of explaining the complicated in a straightforward manner.’
‘They are problem solvers and I can trust them to deliver results without making anything more complicated than it needs to be.’
‘Lucy Woods and her team are all extremely responsive, down to earth and an absolute pleasure to deal with. They provide their advice in a clear and concise way which makes a difficult topic easier to understand. Lucy is known for her expertise in the sector.’
Key clients
Wandsworth Borough Council and Richmond Upon Thames London Borough Council
London Borough of Newham
Watford Borough Council
Chichester District Council
Mendip District Council
Maidstone Borough Council
Cornwall Council
North Devon District Council and Devon County Council
Work highlights
- Advised Watford Borough Council on all property related matters across its Croxley Park estate.
- Acting as standing legal advisor to Wandsworth Borough Council and Richmond Upon Thames Borough Council who share legal services.
- Advised Maidstone Borough Council in connection with a multi-million point leasehold acquisition of a multi-let office premises as an investment.
Foot Anstey
Foot Anstey fields a public sector practice group whose areas of expertise include infrastructure, energy and space. The team is based in different South West locations: Practice head Brian Hitchcock focuses on procurement, engineering and construction out of Exeter, while Tris Tucker in Plymouth specialises in dispute resolution. In Truro, John Catchpole advises local authorities on matters pertaining to commercial property projects, particularly within the scope of infrastructure and development.
Practice head(s):
Brian Hitchcock
Other key lawyers:
Tris Tucker; John Catchpole
Key clients
Cornwall Council
Spaceport Cornwall (Cornwall Council)
Plymouth City Council
Devon County Council
London Borough of Tower Hamlets
Bristol City Council
Celtic Sea Power
Work highlights
- Advised Cornwall Council on the acquisition of 120 acres of land at Langarth, Truro in order to develop the Langarth Garden Village, which will create 3,500 new homes, infrastructure, retail, employment and a landmark new stadium.
- Advised Spaceport Cornwall on the commercial property, planning, environmental, procurement, state aid, safety and regulatory aspects of launch under the Space Industry Act 2018.
- Provided legal services to Plymouth City Council for the design and construction of the Forder Valley Link Road and early feasibility stages of the Manadon large local major scheme (LLM).
Browne Jacobson LLP
Embedded into the national local authority practice, Browne Jacobson LLP’s South West public sector practice sports specialisms in planning and environmental matters as well as children’s and adult services. Local authority insurance claims and housing repair claims are becoming an increasing part of the team’s work, led by claims and litigation expert Joanne Pruden in Exeter and Peter Ware in Nottingham, the latter who focuses on local government commercial matters. Dale Collins is routinely involved in regulatory crime issues, and Thomas Howard covers the teams’ investments and transactions services. Jennifer Grigg left the firm in June 2021.
Practice head(s):
Joanne Pruden; Peter Ware
Other key lawyers:
Dale Collins; Thomas Howard
Key clients
Cornwall Council
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue
Devon County Council
Dorset County Council
Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
East Devon District Council
Environment Agency
Exeter City Council
Isles of Scilly Council
Kernow CCG
Merthyr Tydfil Borough Council
Plymouth City Council
Public Sector Transformation Academy
Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust
West Devon Borough Council
Worcestershire County Council
Sedgemoor District Council
Somerset County Council
Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
South West Audit Partnership.
Work highlights
Freeths LLP
Freeths LLP joins the ranking this year with a local authorities practice that is 'able to bring forward great advice and excellent support at the times when it is absolutely required'. Embedded in the firm’s national structure, the practice advises public sector clients on a range of issues including regeneration, development and government grant initiatives. ‘Absolute rock’ Duncan Tringham heads the Bristol team, in which Dan Cuthbert and Nathan Holden are further key contacts.
Practice head(s):
Duncan Tringham
Other key lawyers:
Nathan Holden; Dan Cuthbert
Testimonials
‘Duncan Tringham is an absolute rock. His advice and guidance is excellent and is matched by his experience and commitment.’
‘Throughout the time we’ve been working with Freeths and in particular Duncan Tringham, they have provided an excellent service, committed to achieving the outcomes that we as a team are trying to achieve. They are able to bring forward great advice and excellent support at the times when it is absolutely required.’
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
Work highlights
- Advising Cornwall Council on the Langarth Garden Village project involving the strategic acquisition and development of a new town with at least 4000 homes, new schools commercial, retail and public space and a £47 Million grant funded highway scheme in collaboration with three developers.
- Advising Exeter City Council on a city regeneration scheme at the heart of Exeter known as City Point involving the redevelopment of the Civic Centre and central bus station to create a new multi-use development involving a new leisure complex, bus station, local and national government offices and residential and retail unit
- Advising the West London Alliance on a digital project to roll out pioneering ‘Small Cells’ telecoms networks on hundreds of thousands of street furniture and other public assets across 7 London Boroughs.
TLT
The public sector team at TLT ‘takes the time to ensure they understand the key deliverables for the client and use this information to tailor its approach’. Andrew Glynn and Bill Hull jointly head the Bristol practice, which advises clients on procurement, IT transformations, and development and regeneration, amongst others. Commercial and corporate matters are routinely handled by David Isaacson.
Practice head(s):
Andrew Glynn; Bill Hull
Other key lawyers:
David Isaacson
Testimonials
‘The team are knowledgeable, they provide advice quickly and it is clear to understand.’
‘TLT takes the time to ensure they understand the key deliverables for the client and use this information to tailor its approach.’
Key clients
London Borough of Lambeth
Cornwall Council
Oxfordshire County Council
London Borough of Waltham Forest
London Borough of Hounslow
London Borough of Ealing
Work highlights
- Advising London Borough of Hounslow as part of a standing instruction to assist on real estate matters.
- Advising Warrington Borough Council in relation to a highway infrastructure scheme.
- Advising SSDC in relation to commercial property acquisitions.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP offers clients advice across the whole spectrum of local government related issues, ranging from employment and governance to projects and litigation. The practice is headed by a trio consisting of Lynne Rathbone, John Turnbull and Rory Stracey, all located in Exeter.
Practice head(s):
Lynne Rathbone; John Turnbull; Rory Stracey
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is always very helpful with a wide and extensive knowledge base in planning and the environment.’
‘Rory Stracey has been very helpful when looking at forthcoming legislative changes and acting as a sounding board as he has a wide knowledge of local government processes at District Council level.’
‘Technical strength with a practical approach, I regard as sound advisors on legal matters.’
‘The team at Trowers has never turned down a challenge. Some of what we require is fast-paced, quick and accurate transactions, with various parties.’
‘I have to say one of the key partners that stands out is Georgina Savill-James, when we approached her with the work we had, she was genuinely excited to come along on our journey with us.’
Key clients
Dorset Council
East Devon District Council
West of England Combined Authority
Access Your Care Ltd
South Somerset District Council
Gloucester City Council
Bristol City Council
Tewkesbury Borough Council
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Torbay Council
Sedgemoor District Council
Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council
Tamworth Borough Council
London Borough of Camden
Westminster City Council
Cheltenham Borough Council
Sevenoaks District Council
Work highlights
- Acted for Access Your Care Ltd on the transfer of the provision of North Somerset District Council’s domiciliary care services from Alliance Living Care Limited to our client, providing cohesive employment, corporate, and commercial support.
- Acting for Gloucester City Council on its latest city centre regeneration and employment initiative, the Forum development, providing full strategic support across our real estate, projects, and construction teams for the successful delivery of the project.
- Delivering project and construction support to South Somerset District Council in respect of its public realm improvement works across regeneration sites of Chard, Wincanton and Yeovil.
VWV
VWV fields a local government team based in Bristol whose expertise extends to the areas of commercial property, governance and procurement. Practice head Allison Cook is well versed in matters relating to employment law and is routinely sought after by publicly founded bodies, charities and emergency services. Stephanie Rickard leads the firm’s procurement and subsidy control team with a particular focus on advising public sector clients.
Practice head(s):
Allison Cook
Other key lawyers:
Stephanie Rickard
Key clients
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP)
The West of England Combined Authority
South Gloucestershire Council
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council
Fareham Borough Council
Herefordshire Council
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service
North Somerset Council
Avon Fire and Rescue
Dorset Council
Work highlights
- Advising a Local Authority on an information law issue arising out of serious allegations and a resulting investigation against a senior officer.
- Instructed to advise a Fire and Rescue Service on a range of employment and pensions law matters, including employment tribunal litigation involving allegations of discrimination.
- Advised a local authority in relation to significant development which will include the construction of over 1500 new homes. We were instructed in relation to two parts of the transaction, real estate and procurement.