Firm Profile > Bevan Brittan LLP > Birmingham, England

Health and safety Tier 2

While advising across all sectors, Bevan Brittan LLP continues to be particularly recognised for its public sector expertise. It advises well over 100 NHS trust clients and various ambulance trusts, local authorities (including several large fire authorities) and some of the country’s largest housing associations and charities. The team frequently works on complex investigations by the police and other regulatory bodies such as the Care Quality Commission in addition to the HSE and also advises on inquests. Adam Kendall is highly regarded for his work on a wide range of regulatory law and compliance issues covering health and safety, environmental, trading standards and waste licensing matters.

Immigration Tier 2

Bevan Brittan LLP has an excellent national immigration team. Out of Birmingham the team is led by Ashley Norman and associate Jaspal Basra is another prominent member of the team. It is best known for its work in the NHS and healthcare sector. It routinely advises clients on right to work checks and certificates of sponsorship as well as providing outbound immigration advice on the potential impact of foreign immigration rules. Also, the practice has developed some strong links with Magic Circle and US law firms through which it receives referrals for immigration law advice. Norman is an experienced immigration lawyer who regularly advises on immigration compliance and audits, as well as recently dealing with Brexit-related queries on issues affecting EEA staff working in the UK.

Personal injury and clinical negligence: defendant Tier 2

At Bevan Brittan LLP Tim Hodgetts has succeeded Joanne Easterbrook as the head of the clinical risk department. Hodgetts has acted on behalf of NHS Resolution and NHS trusts in the defence of clinical negligence cases for a long period of time – he also acts for leading insurers advising on medical malpractice cases. Adrian Dagnall is another prominent figure who is an NHS Resolution nominated partner and is best known for his work on high-profile indexation, periodical payment and high-value quantum cases. Dagnall is now running a quasi-group action for a client. Julie Charlton manages the complete range of clinical negligence cases including spinal and brain injury cases and has a particular expertise in cases involving the Human Rights Act and mental health. Senior associate Penelope Radcliffe is a medical law practitioner who has a particular focus on representing defendants in high-value medical cases where the claimants have sustained extensive brain or neurological damage following obstetric or neurosurgical treatment. Nicola Pegg has been promoted to the partnership.

Local government Tier 3

At Bevan Brittan LLP, real estate specialist Rebecca Pendlebury focuses on large-scale development schemes and mixed-use regeneration schemes, with particular expertise in procurement regulations, planning issues and state aid work. Ashley Norman advises Birmingham City Council on employment law matters, and David Hutton leads the national local government team from Bristol. Sandy Munroe departed to Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP.

Commercial litigation: Birmingham Tier 4

Bevan Brittan LLP's commercial litigation practice has a strong specialism in public infrastructure-related disputes, including IT-related matters, particularly in the healthcare, energy, waste and defence sectors. Adam Kendall, who counts private and public sector organisations among his clients, leads the Birmingham practice, which frequently works cross-office with individuals based in Bristol and London.

Commercial property: Birmingham Tier 4

Public sector work is the bedrock of Bevan Brittan LLP's Birmingham office, where Victoria Pendlebury specialises in mixed-use regeneration schemes often involving joint venture arrangements. Senior associate Emma Holmes supports registered providers, charities and local authorities in all aspects of commercial property matters including property disposals and acquisitions, landlord and tenant issues and development work.

Employment Tier 4

The Birmingham-based employment team at Bevan Brittan LLP has particular strength in the healthcare and local government sectors. Ashley Norman is a key member of the team and is experienced in advising on complex discrimination cases. The practice continues to deal with some complex contentious matters and routinely handles challenging employment tribunal claims for NHS trusts where there are elements of race, sex, disability or whistleblowing issues at stake. It also represents clients in the private, education and international arena. The group has niche expertise in the higher education sector and now acts for several well-known institutions. James Gutteridge is another name to note and has a particular focus on healthcare clients.

Construction Tier 1

Acting for public and private sector clients, Bevan Brittan LLP has expertise in regeneration projects and private finance projects, as well as repair and maintenance contracts. The firm’s broad practice covers the waste, renewable energy and infrastructure sectors, including hospital estates and highways. Louise Robling specialises in renegotiation and disputes relating to private finance initiative contracts. She co-leads the team with Andrew Tobin, who focuses on non-contentious work for employer and contractor clients. Also notable is Jonathan Turner, who advises local authorities, housing associations and developers on joint venture arrangements for housing-led regeneration of urban areas.

Employment: Bristol Tier 1

Distinguished by its nationally recognised public sector practice, Bevan Brittan LLP is a leader in providing comprehensive employment law advice to local governments, housing associations and healthcare providers. It acts for over 30 NHS Trusts in the South West on work spanning governance matters, strategic workforce issues and litigation. The team is also strong in the private sector, where it regularly handles restructuring matters, senior executive disputes and complex employment tribunal claims. A name to note is Julian Hoskins, who primarily covers the private and health sectors. Also recommended is Sarah Lamont, whose expertise is centred on advising councils, housing associations and education bodies. The practice is led by Jodie Sinclair, who mainly acts for healthcare employers.

Health Tier 1

Bevan Brittan LLP covers the full spectrum of healthcare work, with expertise in commercial contracts, mental health law and infrastructure projects. The firm also has experience advising on multi-disciplinary legal, regulatory and consultancy issues, as well as patient-related matters including inquests and criminal proceedings. Sharon Renouf leads the practice and specialises in procurements for NHS clients. Also notable in the team are Rosemary Jago, who focuses on funding health and social facilities through contracting with the private sector; David Owens, who advises NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups on a range of governance and power issues; Vincent Buscemi, who is head of the firm’s independent health and social care practice; and associate Anna Davies, who has particular strength in mental health commissioning, NHS continuing health care and personal health budgets.

Health Tier 1

Bevan Brittan LLP provides the full range of legal services to health clients with particular expertise in property advice, serving as the main legal adviser to NHS Property Services. The Leeds team play a lead role advising NHS England on capital funding for new primary care property developments. Michael Boyd is an experienced commercial lawyer specialising in advising NHS organisations on commercial, capital and governance issues. James Atkins leads the healthcare property team in the North of England and has particular experience advising on the law and policy relating to the funding of general practice premises.

Healthcare Tier 1

Spread across London and Bristol, the team at Bevan Brittan LLP has an impressive track record of work advising the NHS and its partners on high-profile multi-disciplinary matters, covering legal, regulatory, and consultancy issue. The team has acted for every local authority in the country and has worked on significant international joint ventures related to the procurement, funding, and delivery of clinical facilities and outsourcing projects such as shared services models. Procurement specialist Sharon Renouf heads up the large team, while Rosemary Jago advises on PPPs and joint ventures. Vincent Buscemi, Carly Caton, Hannah Taylor, and Monica Macheng all are highly recommended. The team has expanded with Mark Paget Skelin joining from Capsticks LLP and James Teagle joining from Blacks Solicitors LLP.

Local government Tier 1

David Hutton and Judith Barnes head the local government team at Bevan Brittan LLP. Hutton is national head, while Barnes - 'a standout expert in local government law' - leads the practice from the growing Leeds office, handling matters covering governance, commercialism, reorganisation and health and social care integration. The team has acted for every local authority in England and regularly takes strategic involvement in policy development for clients. The team also advises on more straightforward aspects of legal work, such as tribunals, regeneration or procurement, while also helping to devise innovative ways for local councils to responding to austerity measures.

Local government Tier 1

Serving local government clients across the country, Bevan Brittan LLP operates out of offices in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds. The 'pragmatic and client-focused' team has worked for every local authority in England, advising on matters including tribunals, property regeneration and housing, and responses to financial austerity. The team was directly appointed to advise all 22 Welsh Councils on a national schools project programme and is also known for its work in supporting councils on climate change emergency advice and decarbonisation agendas. Head of the local government group David Hutton works on commercial structures and procurement and is a leading PFI/PPP lawyer. Judith Barnes advises on local authority governance on commercialisation matters such as investment strategies, as well as constitutional and governance issues. In 2019, the team was boosted by the hire of planning specialist Dalee Kaur, who joined from BDB Pitmans.

Local government Tier 1

Bevan Brittan LLP advises on tribunals, regeneration and procurement for local governments across the country. The firm specialises in local government governance, reorganisation, contract management, property regeneration and housing, as well as providing expertise in disputes in the sector. PFI/PPP expert David Hutton leads the team and focuses on assisting councils with transport, housing and other infrastructure matters. Also notable is Sarah Lamont, who advises councils, housing associations, education bodies and private sector companies.

Social housing Tier 1

Bevan Brittan LLP handles the full range of housing-related matters, including financing work, land acquisitions and disposals, planning mandates, disputes and housing management issues. The team's partners have distinct areas of expertise, with Leeds-based practice head Richard Stirk leading on security issues, property developments and sales, primarily acting for housing associations both regionally and nationally. Julie Cowan-Clark works on asset management and leasing matters, notably advising local authorities on Help to Buy issues; Hugo Stephens handles financing work, and John Cox focuses on contentious and non-contentious housing management matters.

Social housing Tier 1

Full-service firm Bevan Brittan LLP advises housing associations, local authorities, developers and funders on a range of social housing issues. The practice specialises in board and governance advice, including asset management matters, as well as providing experience in finance and corporate work. Another key area is property and development, in which the department has particular expertise in joint ventures. Jonathan Turner focuses on housing-led development and regeneration work for strategic sites. He co-leads the team with Alison Buckingham, who is known for advising social housing providers on development schemes.

Administrative and public law Tier 2

Bevan Brittan LLP’s public and administrative law client roster comprises public bodies, clinical commissioning groups, councils and local authorities across the UK. Practice head Virginia Cooper and Olivia Carter represent an extensive roster of NHS bodies in the defence of high-value administrative challenges, and, on the claimant side, handle a high volume of procurement challenges against local authorities. The team is engaged by ombudsman clients to defend judicial reviews against decision-making processes, and also provides advice on statutory powers and jurisdiction.

Clinical negligence: defendant Tier 2

As well as acting for multiple London NHS Trusts, Bevan Brittan LLP's clinical negligence team is increasingly instructed in international claims, most recently handling cases in Bermuda, Singapore and Jersey. The firm also deals with brain injury cases straddling the UK and other jurisdictions, such as France and India. Under the guidance of 'fantastic team leader' Joanne Easterbrook and head of clinical risk Tim Hodgetts, the practice has developed a key focus on surrogacy and psychiatric claims, especially those concerning secondary victims, along with cosmetic surgery and aesthetics treatment cases. In recent highlights, Dan Morris represented the defendant in the landmark Supreme Court case XX v Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, which concerns the recoverability of damages for commercial surrogacy costs in the US.

Commercial property: Bristol Tier 2

The national practice of Bevan Brittan LLP specialises in real estate development, with an emphasis on advising national landowners. The firm has a growing private sector practice, complementing its traditional focus on the local authority, housing and healthcare sectors. The practice also advises on the disposal and redevelopment of hospital sites in London, as well as regeneration sites for London boroughs. Mark Calverley leads the team and specialises in regeneration and development projects.

Energy, project finance and PFI Tier 2

Acting for public and private sector clients, Bevan Brittan LLP has expertise in a range of matters, including energy transition projects, housing projects and contentious issues. The firm has particular experience in PFI/PPP projects, refinancings and PFI/PPP disputes. In the energy field, the practice advises on energy-from-waste, energy innovation, and district and renewable energy matters. Nadeem Arshad leads the team and specialises in waste and energy PFI/PPP projects. Also notable is Nathan Bradberry, who focuses on infrastructure projects.

Property litigation Tier 2

Active in public and private sector matters, Bevan Brittan LLP specialises in advising health, local government and social housing organisations on a range of property disputes. The firm’s experience includes dealing with the removal of telecoms operators from land, dilapidations disputes and LTA 1954 claims. Practice head Steve Eccles focuses on residential and commercial property issues, primarily representing local authorities and NHS bodies across the country, as well as social housing providers.

Commercial litigation: Bristol Tier 3

Bevan Brittan LLP is a key choice for procurement litigation, judicial review proceedings and contractual disputes arising out of the delivery of public infrastructure and public services. The group functions as part of a national practice led by Birmingham-based Adam Kendall, and includes procurement litigation expert Emily Heard, who heads up the Bristol team.

Commercial property: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 3

Bevan Brittan LLP has increased its work with private sector developers and lenders, alongside maintaining its notable expertise in public sector real estate matters. Practice head Lyndon Campbell has seen an uptick in secured lending mandates, working with a variety of local investors. The team works closely with the public sector practice, led by senior associate Matthew Walsh, on healthcare property issues. Julie Cowan-Clark focuses on residential development projects for public and private sector clients. James Teagle arrived from Blacks Solicitors LLP in early 2020, contributing experience in contentious financing matters.

Court of protection Tier 3

Bevan Brittan LLP has a sizeable national Court of Protection team. It offers specialist expertise in Court of Protection work and complex related issues under the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act, as well as human rights and equality matters. It has been busy advising on serious medical treatment cases, ranging from disputes over end-of-life care to the withdrawal of treatment of neonates and children. It also frequently advises on care and treatment funding. Key members of the team include Joanne Easterbrook, Stuart Marchant, Simon Lindsay, Tim Hodgetts, Hannah Taylor, Carlton Sadler  and Julia Jones.

Planning Tier 3

Experienced in advising on health sector, local authority and housing matters, Bevan Brittan LLP provides a specialist development practice with an emphasis on acting for national landowners. Kathryn Lawrance leads the team and has expertise in local government planning, regeneration and development projects. Also notable is Dalee Kaur, who joined the in 2019 from BDB Pitmans and bring expertise in planning law, retail, housing, leisure and industrial development.

Property litigation Tier 3

Bevan Brittan LLP bolstered its property litigation capabilities with the arrival of James Teagle in early 2020 from Blacks Solicitors LLP; he works closely with national practice head Steven Eccles. Teagle has retained his client base of banks, property developers and insolvency practitioners, acting in a variety of contentious property work, particularly claims arising from financing and debt issues.

Social housing: finance Tier 3

Led by Jonathan Turner and David Moore, Bevan Brittan LLP primarily advises borrowers on the full range of financial transactions, including private placements, intra-group loans and loans to joint ventures. Wendy Wilks and Richard Stirk co-head the property charging team, which advises on security charging projects in connection with public bond issues, group restructures, security reorganisations and releases. The practice, which has seen significant expansion in recent years, has been strengthened further by the arrival of Louise Leaver from Winckworth Sherwood LLP in 2020. Leaver has over 20 years of experience advising on all types of loan agreements, security documentation, inter-creditor and security trust arrangements and capital markets issues.

Social housing: local authorities and registered providers Tier 3

Bevan Brittan LLP, whose practice is led by Jonathan Turner in Bristol, is heavily involved in all aspects of social housing development. Its multifaceted practice covers areas such as regeneration, joint ventures, procurement, construction, tax and planning. A recent highlight involved advising Peabody on procuring a strategic joint venture partner for the £3.5bn development of Thamesmead Waterfront. The team is also handles housing management work; Neil Brand advises on disrepair, energy arrangements, cladding and construction issues. Wendy Wilks and Andrew Shaw oversee the London office and advise on all aspects of land acquisition and disposal, development and regeneration.

Commercial property: development Tier 4

The team at Bevan Brittan LLP differentiates itself through its distinct focus on NHS regeneration projects across London while also handling high-end developments on behalf of London boroughs and other local authorities in the South East. Bristol-based Mark Calverley heads the department which has a strong focus on the housing sector, representing a range of registered providers. Mark Paget Skelin joined from Capsticks LLP while Dalee Kaur is another new arrival from BDB Pitmans.

Construction Tier 4

Judith Hopper leads the practice at Bevan Brittan LLP, which specialises in contentious construction work. The team represents corporates and public sector clients, with a particular focus on high-value PFI-related work in line with Hopper's expertise. The practice also works closely with the firm's social housing team on the contentious elements of housebuilding projects.

Health and safety Tier 4

Bevan Brittan LLP's health and safety group provides a full range of compliance and due diligence support. The team also handles issues arising from serious accidents, including investigations by regulatory bodies, enforcement actions and interviews under caution. Practice head Adam Kendall is known for acting on behalf of insurance, healthcare, local authority and large corporate clients.

Infrastructure (PFI and PPP) Tier 4

Construction: non-contentious Tier 5

Bevan Brittan LLP, which has 'excellent public sector and in-depth NHS knowledge', has an active practice advising on renewable energy, housing projects and urban regeneration. Key clients include councils, universities and developers. Andrew Tobin leads the practice; he is active for health and government clients and is prominent in the education construction sphere, having led on a number of high-profile projects. He has also developed a relationship with the Department of Education on academy building projects. Louise Robling is likewise recommended for her non-contentious expertise.

Corporate and commercial: Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire Tier 5

Bevan Brittan LLP has increased its corporate and commercial capabilities with the recruitment of Christian Hunt, former practice head at Langleys Solicitors LLP. A portfolio of owner-managed businesses engages the team on management buyouts, joint ventures, share acquisitions and sales and corporate restructurings. Recent highlights include deals in the manufacturing, logistics, lighting and automotive sectors.

Education: schools Tier 5

Employment: Leeds and West Yorkshire; North Yorkshire Tier 5

Bevan Brittan LLP’s employment, pensions and immigration practice recently expanded its Leeds presence with the addition of senior associate Tim Gooder, who adds extensive expertise in Employment Tribunal litigation including discrimination and whistleblowing claims. Key clients stem from the public sector, notably local governments and NHS Trusts.

Employers Tier 6

Bevan Brittan LLP is known as a significant force in the health and social care sector, and acts for NHS foundations, private and third sector clients across the range of employment law work. The practice has also recently further expanded its client base in local government and maintains strong links with clients in higher education, housing, and more generally in the private sector. Department head Jodie Sinclair focuses on complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims.

Clinical negligence and personal injury: defendant

The clinical risk team at Bevan Brittan LLP represents an impressive mix of NHS trusts and insurers, with a specialism in defending group actions. The practice also has expertise in sexual abuse cases, as well as brain and neurosurgical injury claims. Solicitor-advocate Joanna Lloyd heads the department is an expert in brain injury claims, and is also on the UK Advisory Panel for Healthcare Workers Infected With Bloodborne Viruses. Simon Lindsay has notable strength in clinical negligence claims involving mental health law. On the personal injury side, the team has expertise in indemnity issues in motor claims, often advising insurers when there is issue over the extent of a driver's insurance cover. Another area of specialism is work for buildings and content insurers in relation to claims arising from personal liability cover, including serious injuries caused by fires. Paul Taverner heads the insurance team, and specialises in high-value head and spinal cases, acting for insurers and local authorities. Lynda Thomas is another name to note, with experience in claims involving historic abuse.