Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Local government in South West

Bevan Brittan LLP

Led by Ash Woodcock from the firm’s Birmingham office, the sizeable local government team at Bevan Brittan LLP has a national reach with disputes, climate change response and levelling-up funding among the mandates that have been keeping the Bristol team busy. Employment specialist Sarah Lamont has a niche focus on the processes required for disciplining or dismissing statutory officers. Chris Harper is well versed in company acquisitions and sales, while contentious construction specialist Louise Robling bolsters the team’s PFI disputes expertise. David Hutton has retired.

Practice head(s):

Ash Woodcock


Other key lawyers:

Sarah Lamont; Chris Harper; Nadeem Arshad; Mark Calverley; Louise Robling; Liz Fletcher


Testimonials

‘Nathan Bradberry has been involved in the majority of large local authority led decentralised energy projects in the UK over the last few years. This has allowed him to develop excellent sectoral knowledge.’

‘Have been able to meet all of our requests for legal advice with significant breadth of expertise in their team.’

‘Highly responsive, willing to explore a range of innovative and sometime out-there ideas, when seeking to identify how best to move forward.’

 

Key clients

The County Council of the City and County of Cardiff


Manchester City Council


Birmingham City Council


London Borough of Hammersmith


Merton Council


Reading Borough Council


Public Sector Audit Appointments (PSAA)


City of Bradford Metropolitan Borough Council


Flintshire County Council


Oxfordshire County Council


North Yorkshire County Council


Leicestershire Council


Dudley MBC


Local Government Association on behalf of 52 Fire & Rescue Authorities


Walsall MBC


London Borough of Bromley


Portsmouth City Council


London Borough of Havering


Lewisham LBC


Haringey LBC


Royal Borough of Greenwich


The Corporation of London


Work highlights


  • Acting for 52 Fire and Rescue Authorities (FRAs) in England and Wales, as part of the national public sector pension litigation.
  • Advising Merton Council on the sale of its wholly-owned company (CHAS 2013 Ltd) to Veriforce (US) which is backed by Thoma Bravo Discover Fund II LP.
  • Appointed by the Welsh Government to advise on the structure of the £1.5bn Welsh Education Partnership Strategy Partnership Delivery Model.

Burges Salmon LLP

Burges Salmon LLP‘s multifarious local government team covers local authority pension schemes, the outsourcing of children’s services and major regeneration projects - the latter often goes hand in hand with the compulsory purchase expertise present at the firm. Practice head Gary Soloman is an authority on the compensation aspects of regeneration projects. John Houlden is a key contact for complex local authority mandates, advising on issues such as procurement and state aid matters. Matthew Ramus possesses considerable experience advising on major Children’s Services restructuring programmes. Additional names to note in the Bristol-based team include Emma Andrews, Paula McGeady and Sarah Sutherland.

Practice head(s):

Gary Soloman


Other key lawyers:

John Houlden; Matthew Ramus; Emma Andrews; Paula McGeady; Sarah Sutherland


Work highlights


  • Advising Bristol City Council on its ‘City Leap’ initiative, bringing together private sector and community partners to deliver on a long-term multibillion programme of energy and infrastructure investment.
  • Advising on the major highway improvement scheme at Junction 10 of the M5 motorway, which is needed to address congestion problems in Cheltenham and enable significant growth.
  • Advising South Hams District Council in relation to a potential compulsory purchase order to enable land assembly of part of the Plymouth and South Devon Freeport at Langage.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP

Led by the Newcastle-based Iain Greenshields, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s local government practice sits with the firm’s wider public sector offer and is well placed to advise on public-private sector partnerships. The unit is also noted for its experience of advising on procurement, real estate and complex litigation. Jonathan Bower, Kevin Gibbs and Richard Guyatt‘s capabilities in major infrastructure projects and compulsory purchase orders is frequently brought to bear, ‘from inception to delivery,’ on major mandates throughout the country. Katherine Douglas has a strong focus on commercial property, while Victoria Redman‘s diverse practice spans highways and planning matters.

Practice head(s):

Iain Greenshields


Other key lawyers:

Kevin Gibbs; Richard Guyatt; Katherine Douglas; Victoria Redman


Testimonials

‘The team provides strategic, practical and detailed advice on infrastructure projects from inception to delivery.’

‘Kevin Gibbs has a fine appreciation of strategic objectives and client requirements.’

‘Richard Guyatt has detailed knowledge of drafting and framing Transport and Works Act orders.’

Work highlights


  • Advised North Somerset Council and the West of England Combined Authority on the MetroWest Phase 1 DCO for the restoration of a rail service between Portishead and Bristol.
  • Supported Plymouth City Council in relation to the Plymouth and South Devon (PASD) Freeport.
  • Advised Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council on the procurement of a heat network project in Solihull town centre.

Ashfords LLP

The ‘great service’ provided by Ashfords LLP‘s public sector team spans employment, construction, and dispute resolution. Practice chair Lucy Woods‘ expertise extends to subsidy control for rural broadband projects and enterprise zones. Sian Gibbon focuses on telecoms work and right of light claims, while planning expert David Richardson  assists local authorities with compulsory purchase and public law advice. Other key figures include regeneration and development projects specialist Robin De Wreede; Laura Reeve, a key contact for construction procurement mandates; and the ‘exceptionally knowledgable’  Ruth Yates. All named lawyers are based in Exeter.

Practice head(s):

Lucy Woods


Other key lawyers:

David Richardson; Robin de Wreede; Laura Reeve; Ruth Yates


Testimonials

‘Ashford’s team offers a great service that I cannot fault. I have worked with them for approximately seven years. They hire talented people with top drawer knowledge of procurement law.’

‘Ruth Yates is exceptionally knowledgeable and a pleasure to work with.’

 

Key clients

Wandsworth Borough Council and Richmond Borough Council


London Borough of Brent


Cornwall Council


Bristol City Council


Exeter City Council


Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea


Ashford Borough Council


Populo Living


London Borough of Southwark


Torbay Council


Dorset Council


Mid Devon District Council


Watford Borough Council


Mendip District Council


Shropshire Council


Advance Northumberland Commercial Limited


Herefordshire Council


Brick by Brick Croydon Limited


Sedgemoor District Council


North Devon District Council


West Devon Borough Council


South Somerset District Council


London Borough of Lambeth


London Borough of Hackney


Maidstone Borough Council


Kent County Council


North Yorkshire County Council


Portsmouth City Council


Thanet District Council


Stratford Upon Avon District Council


Tunbridge Wells Borough Council


Bath and North East Somerset Council


Hampshire County Council


East Suffolk Council


Devon County Council


North Devon Council


South Hams District Council


Torridge District Council


Swansea Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Ashford Borough Council in connection with a £250 million investment into the regeneration of one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK.
  • Acting as standing legal adviser to Wandsworth Borough Council and Richmond Upon Thames Borough Council for a wide range of specialisms.
  • Acted for Exeter City Council in the acquisition of Guildhall Shopping Centre.

Foot Anstey

The core pillars of Foot Anstey‘s practice are infrastructure, development and energy work, with the team assisting a range of public sector bodies with major projects involving multiple stakeholders and legal specialisms. Brian Hitchcock, who spearheads the unit’s offering, has extensive experience of public sector infrastructure law. Construction and engineering disputes specialist Tris Tucker assists clients from the firm’s Plymouth office. Further south, in Truro, commercial property specialist John Catchpole advises local authorities on issues such as site acquisitions and asset disposal. All named lawyers are based in Exeter unless stated otherwise.

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


  • Advising Devon County Council on their EV charging infrastructure and services procurement programme known as DELETTI.
  • Advising Aerospace Cornwall, part of Cornwall Council, on their programme promoting research, development and innovation across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
  • Advising Plymouth City Council on the design and construction of the Forder Valley Link Road and early feasibility stages of the Manadon large local major scheme.

Freeths LLP

Described by some clients as ‘exceptional in every way’, Freeths LLP pulls together a strong offering in areas such as public infrastructure, joint ventures between local government and the private sector, and regeneration and development schemes. The ‘outstanding’ Duncan Tringham marshals the South West team, frequently leading on local government-led real estate projects. Daniel Cuthbert specialises in contentious telecom matters while his Bristol colleague Michael Bray excels in local government-led developments. Coralie McKeivor and Emilie Criddle are also recommended for their public sector acumen.

Practice head(s):

Duncan Tringham; Nathan Holden


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Cuthbert; Michael Bray; Coralie McKeivor; Emilie Criddle


Testimonials

‘The individuals are brilliant but they also quickly and effortlessly combine to act in concert when required to provide synchronised and mutually reinforcing advice.’

‘Duncan Tringham in particular is outstanding and great to work with. You can always rely on him to keep everyone on track and to maintain the momentum on a deal.’

‘The team at Freeths has been exceptional in every way.’

‘Duncan Tringham has been the lead partner now for a number of years and on a number of projects, all of which have been exceptional.’

‘The team at Freeths has been a huge support on all things concerning our telecoms legal matters including guidance through a (successful) tribunal.’

‘All of our contacts within Freeths are brilliant. They go above and beyond with their work for us.’

 

 

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


The West London Alliance (7 London Boroughs)


Work highlights


  • Advising Cornwall Council on the £450m Langarth Garden Village scheme involving the strategic acquisition and development of a new town.
  • Advising the Council on the creation of Habitat Banking Vehicles (HBV) that will enhance the biodiversity of substantial areas of land within Plymouth.
  • Advising Plymouth City Council and Plymouth Energy Community on the joint venture development of a new community owned solar farm at Chelson Meadow.

Browne Jacobson LLP

A recent focus on local authority insurance claims and housing repair claims at Browne Jacobson LLP complements a broad public sector offering which includes PFI work, regeneration projects and a national ombudsman practice.  Social care expert Joanne Pruden leads the team from Exeter; she has specific expertise in sex abuse, bullying and harassment claims. Longstanding criminal advocate Dale Collins is well versed in health and safety, environmental and food safety breaches.

Practice head(s):

Joanne Pruden


Other key lawyers:

Dale Collins


Key clients

Municipal Mutual Insurance


Zurich


Gallagher Basset


Resolute


Devon County Council


Cornwall Council


Isle of Wight Council


Bristol City Council


Worcestershire County Council


Dorset Council


Cornwall Housing Limited


Plymouth Community Homes


Work highlights


TLT

The ‘personable and knowledgeable’ local government team at TLT assists a variety of local government organisations and local authorities on issues such as pensions, tax and commercial property investments.  Jointly led by Andrew Glynn, Bill Hull and David Isaacson, the Bristol-based group is additionally well placed to advise on clean energy projects and planning issues for regeneration projects. David Meecham, who joined the firm from Pinsent Masons LLP in November 2022 has longstanding experience of advising on public sector housing transactions. Nicola Mead-Batten joined from Capital Law Limited in December 2022.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Glynn; Bill Hull; David Isaacson


Other key lawyers:

David Meecham; Ed Pitt; Nicola Mead-Batten


Testimonials

‘I have found them to be personable and knowledgeable with the ability to understand and account for the soft issues on matters.’

 

Key clients

Waltham Forest Borough Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Waltham Forest on the £250m regeneration of  Score Centre, Leyton.
  • Advised London Borough of Brent on the procurement of a hybrid developer/contractor for a flagship housing-led regeneration scheme forming part of the Wembley Housing Zone.
  • Advising South Somerset District Council Advising in relation to commercial property acquisitions.

Trowers & Hamlins LLP

Spanning local authority housing developments, local government reform, and shared service arrangements, the wide-ranging advisory work carried out by Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘s ‘expert team’ is frequently completed on a cross-office basis - the Exeter-based practice often calls on the expertise present in the London, Birmingham and Manchester offices. Lynne Rathbone, John Turnbull and Rory Stracey co-lead the unit, with Emma Barnfield and Gail White further contributing to the collective expertise on offer.

Practice head(s):

Lynne Rathbone; John Turnbull; Rory Stracey


Other key lawyers:

Emma Barnfield; Oliver Williams; Gail White


Testimonials

‘They are very friendly, approachable and knowledgeable.’

‘I have mainly worked with Rory Stracey who has always been very helpful and knowledgeable.’

‘This is an expert team which has helped us move forward on projects.’

‘We trust the firm and the individuals who work there, more so than other comparable outfits.’

 

Key clients

Dorset Council


East Devon District Council


West of England Combined Authority


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


Kent County Council


Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead


Gravesham Borough Council


Three Rivers District Council


Work highlights


  • Acting for Stevenage Borough Council in connection with their flagship town centre redevelopment known as Queensway North.
  • Advising Gloucester City Council on the Forum city centre regeneration and employment initiative.
  • Advising Sevenoaks District Council on Millwall Football Club’s application to develop a new training facility within a 50 acre green belt site in West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks.

VWV

VWV‘s Bristol-based team advises a range of public sector bodies on mandates including procurement matters, employment tribunal claims, and an increasing number of code of conduct cases. Allison Cook, who leads the public sector practice, is well regarded for advising on issues pertaining to senior individuals in local government and the emergency services. Property litigation specialists Michelle Bendall and Daniel Hall and procurement expert Stephanie Rickard are also recommended.

Practice head(s):

Allison Cook


Other key lawyers:

Stephanie Rickard, Michelle Bendall; Daniel Hall


Testimonials

‘VWV stood out as a full-service law firm with experience in the local government sector.’

‘Excellent knowledge of the employment law and, in particular, how it operates within the public sector.’

‘Partners and associates are accessible, well informed, and are able to distil complex information for clients.’

Key clients

Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service


Northumberland Council


Fareham Borough Council


Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council


Herefordshire Council


Dorset Council


South Wales Fire and Rescue Service


North Wales Fire and Rescue Service


West Berkshire Council


East Suffolk District Council


Work highlights


  • Advised Dorset County Council in relation to their exciting new specialist housing and community development near Wareham town centre.