Sharpe Pritchard LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘The team is unique in its in-depth knowledge over multiple elections. Sharpe Pritchard has a unique record of involvement in electoral law over more or less the entirety of the operation of representation of the people legislation. The electoral team has ready access to multiple records not easily available elsewhere.’

‘Emyr Thomas stands out as highly experienced and focused on ensuring that his clients’ involvement in any form of legal action is minimised while ensuring that the court is fully and properly informed so that litigation can be concluded as efficiently and properly as possible. He has an acute sense of the responsibilities of returning officers.’

‘Unrivalled expertise, both institutionally as a firm and in the personnel.’

‘Alastair Lewis exemplifies the ability to bring great expertise and experience to clients in a most considered and practical way.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard is the go-to firm for parliamentary work. A real specialist team for this specialist area.’

‘Emyr Thomas is the most knowledgeable, experienced, and well-connected solicitor in the parliamentary field today.’

‘A strength of the team is that they are exceptionally collaborative and have pulled in specialist lawyers to work on our project as and when needed.’

‘Catherine Newman has the ability to explain technical legal terms and concepts in a way that is clear, concise and informative for a layperson. She has also been able to predict potential problems/issues early on to allow us to be prepared during complex legal negotiations involving several sets of lawyers. We have always felt exceptionally well represented during legal discussions.’

‘They are hard working and very good. The team is responsive, good with clients, and a pleasure to work with. They are commercially savvy, with a good mix of experience within the team which can be called on when needed.’

‘Emily Knowles is very approachable, knowledgeable and firm with opposing sides when the need arises. Emily sticks to agreed deadlines and works very hard to deliver agreed outcomes.’

‘Rachel Murray-Smith and Helen Batter have exhibited professionalism throughout the project. Their expert advice and knowledge relating to the procurement particularly NEC contracts has been amazing.’

‘Sharpes are professional, readily available when we need them, they know our business well and can anticipate actions and ensure that we have the appropriate advice to form our legal strategies.’

‘Justin Mendelle, Rachel Murray-Smith, Laura Campbell, Harnaek Rahania, Helen Batter are all excellent in their roles and have supported us with prompt, available advice on contract matters and disputes. It is always a pleasure to engage with them and they always go the extra mile to ensure that we have the best advice.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard consistently delivers projects that they are engaged to do successfully. They have a commendable understanding of how local government works and are dedicated to maintaining this.’

‘A team that genuinely works well together – they work beyond the purely legal advisory, with a unique grasp of the commercial, regulatory, procurement and legal nexus. The team is very much client-focused, so they take the time to provide advise that is genuinely useful. ’

‘Steve Gummer has a market-leading understanding on the commercial drivers to make regulated infrastructure projects come together. Nicky Sumner is the first person I think of for procurement. The depth of her knowledge of the subject matter is head and shoulders above anyone I’ve previously instructed Ros Serrelli is a great communicator and very respected. She brings a professionalism to her work that inspires confidence. Allan Owen blends legal and commercial drivers perfectly; definitely someone you want in your corner.’

‘During our project, the team drew on their previous infrastructure and contracting experience to inform the legal structure and contracting to deliver this innovation project and liaised with government on challenging grant conditions. They continue their engagement in the scheme and are always willing to find pragmatic solutions to the challenges being faced on a first of its kind project. ’

‘Steve Gummer is an exceptional lawyer getting the right balance between expertise, commercialism, pragmatism and available budget. Steve has a passion for green technology and uses this to support societal endeavours to tackle climate change.’

‘SP have become an integral part of our delivery team. The team have superb industry knowledge and take a pragmatic approach to balancing the theory with understanding its application in the relevant situation in delivery. They are attentive, professional but personable and really go the extra mile whether that’s with speed of advice to hit a specific deadline, doing additional research in a specific topic or attending last minute meetings to support with issues arising.’

‘Nicky Sumner has excellent procurement regs knowledge. She can readily provide numerous examples of recent situations or case law that helps us as a business understand the likely risk and allows us to provide additional context to our own stakeholders to provide confidence in our decision making. Rather than just setting out what the problem might be, she is also excellent at proposing possible solutions so we can consider which might be appropriate. Her professionalism, willingness to help and quality advice make her a much valued member of the team.

Ros Serrelli works in perfect tandem with Nicky with more of a commercial focus. Translating complex commercial terms and conditions into easy to understand scenarios that bring the issue to life with relevant examples. She has excellent knowledge and not only provides problems but suggestions for ways to address or mitigate the issue. We lean heavily on her knowledge and advice for commercial/legal matter. Her approach is personable and highly professional and we value her input a tremendous amount.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard channel issues through a commercial lens rather than a purely legal framework which drives more productive conversations and optimises the strength of resolutions and solutions identified. They have some strong communication skills with in-house counsel to ensure that everyone is sighted on context and positioning.’

‘Easily accessible senior staff and partners, working as a seamless team, who are responsive and have good industry background knowledge.’

‘Aware of the key issues and challenges in the sector, and also at a local level, which leads to improved assessment of business risk and mitigation.’

‘They are simply excellent, they are a strong team with a number of stars.’

‘This firm has unparalleled expertise in local government law, as well as town and country planning. Their injunction work is unequalled in these sectors.’

‘They are organised, efficient, and highly committed to helping us, they are very user-friendly.’

‘They are excellent, flexible, responsive, and accurate in their advice and assistance.’

‘Bernadette Hillman has great expertise in advising on planning issues in a local government context. She is extremely responsive and provides clear advice on complex and contentious planning concerns.’

‘Bernadette Hillman has deep knowledge and experience in the sector, and is practical and approachable. Andrew Swaffer has deep knowledge and experience.’

‘Bernadette Hillman at Sharpe Prichard provided pragmatic and responsive advice on a contentious planning matter. She understood the issues faced by local government assisting with finding a flexible and balanced solution to enable swift progress on a particular development.’

‘Andrew Swaffer has always been reliable and informed. He is someone I have and will recommend to clients who need a solicitor with expertise in planning, environment, and compulsory purchase matters.’

‘A strength of the team is that they are exceptionally collaborative and have pulled in specialist lawyers to work on our project as and when needed.’

‘Catherine Newman has the ability to explain technical legal terms and concepts in a way that is clear, concise and informative for a layperson. She has also been able to predict potential problems/issues early on to allow us to be prepared during complex legal negotiations involving several sets of lawyers. We have always felt exceptionally well represented during legal discussions.’

‘Provide an excellent service with expert knowledge and advice.’

‘Very attentive and responsive with expert knowledge and timely input.’

‘Creative and sensible non-contentious construction lawyers, able to provide a solid draft contract and support negotiation of final contract. Advice on contract management and settlement of commercial disputes. Willingness to balance commercial and legal risks, going beyond a straight legal advice to conclude commercial agreements.’

‘Justin Mendelle provides sensible and pragmatic legal and commercial advice. Helen Batter is accurate and thoughtful in drafting and very knowledgeable and thorough in options appraisals.’

‘We regularly work with Rachel Murray-Smith, who I would not hesitate to recommend to anyone needing advice on construction matters. Her advice is always clear, practically based and commercially sound. Rachel is widely respected in the council’s new homes team for her work, and advice she has given. She always seeks to find a solution, and not just give legal advice, to what are often complex issues when advising on construction matters.’

‘Sharpe know our business and can tailor their response to our queries and issues as appropriate. They are a professional team which help us meet our objectives from forming construction contracts, innovating on bespoke forms of contract in one instance to help us with a tendering strategy to de-risk the main construction. They have very good online support via webinars and short focused breakfast briefings which have been excellent.’

‘Justin Mendelle and Rachel Murray-Smith give excellent advice and are very responsive and go the extra mile to ensure that we have the best advice and approach on legal disputes. They also arrange training for our teams and also have lots of very good webinars and advice which is always very helpful in a changing construction environment.’

‘Creative approach and collaborative style.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard LLP are a well-respected firm and they deserve that reputation. They are organised, efficient, and cost-effective.’

‘Alastair Lewis is highly experienced, considered, and authoritative. He’s exactly what you want in a public law advisor.’

‘Their administrative and public law team is exceptional. The speed of response, the clarity of strategy, and the commercial insight is some of the best in the market.’

‘Mari Roberts is an amazingly approachable partner with an eagle eye for detail and attention to the client’s requirements despite her busy case load.’

‘George McLellan and Jonathan Blunden are now two key partners. As a team, their experience across the range of commercial judicial review is second to none. Sharpe Pritchard are lining up for very big things indeed in the public law space. They are superb strategists and are now the natural choice for major industry players looking to challenge government.’

‘George McLellan and Jonathan Blunden are the two key players in the commercial public law space. They are both outstanding lawyers and strategists, able to turn their hand to any new area and work out how to get the very best result possible. They are clear, methodical, and effective.’

‘George McLellan is the premier litigator in the market at the moment for commercial claimants, while Johnny Blunden is a central government whizz.’

‘George McLellan is a serious talent. He is a hard worker, he knows public law inside out, he manages his team effectively to deliver high-quality work products on time, and he has a great relationship with specialist counsel.’

‘Excellent commercial/industry knowledge with a willingness for pragmatism where required; proactive in terms of identifying and quantifying potential risks – this has enabled a proportional approach to be taken and decisions to be made swiftly on an informed basis.’

‘The team is well led and shows evidence and willingness to develop skills of their own colleagues, as well as those of their clients.’

‘Very diligent with attention to detail like no other.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard form a close working relationship with their client, understanding their client thoroughly and quickly becoming a trusted team player, adviser and friend.’

‘The individuals are extremely friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.’

‘Justin Mendelle has a wealth of legal knowledge and experience in commercial and construction disputes. He is highly recommended.’ 

‘Provide an excellent service with expert knowledge and advice.’

‘The team is made up of some exceptionally bright lawyers and have a great depth that has been consistently deployed across a very detailed and complex dispute.’

‘Their understanding of both the commercial and contentious aspects of construction makes for informed procurement and operational advice on PFI projects.’

‘Simply good lawyers with a high expertise in construction disputes.’ 

‘Ability to guide clients through complex legal matters in a clear and concise manner which helped to avoid a potentially costly dispute.’

‘Sharpe Pritchard LLP consistently provide top-quality legal advice on varied construction disputes across all dispute resolution forums. That, coupled with a strong commercial awareness and astute approach to legal and commercial strategy make Sharpe Pritchard LLP a highly recommended firm for contentious construction matters.’

‘Justin Mendelle has a wealth of legal knowledge and experience in commercial and construction disputes. He is highly recommended. Melanie Blake has proven to be a very able and capable solicitor providing Justin with excellent legal support.’