Emyr Thomas > Sharpe Pritchard LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Sharpe Pritchard LLP‘s elections team stands out for its ‘unrivalled knowledge‘ of matters surrounding the work of returning officers. The team is instructed by several returning officers to handle contentious matters surrounding contested elections and has acted in numerous High Court election petition challenges to this effect. Under the leadership of electoral and parliamentary expert Alastair Lewis, the team is also capable of advising on electoral law and regulation compliance. In addition to his ability to handle election conduct challenges, Emyr Thomas is also a key contact for general electoral and polling day queries.

The parliamentary infrastructure team at Sharpe Pritchard LLP has an ‘unparalleled grasp of parliamentary work’ and vast experience drafting and promoting bills for its roster of clients, which spans large landowners, local authorities, and registered charities. The team, which is led by experienced Parliamentary Agent and leading infrastructure lawyer Alastair Lewis, promotes a large proportion of the private bills enacted by parliament and is also well-equipped to handle Transport and Works Act Orders and Development Consent Orders in relation to energy and transportation projects. Emyr Thomas is also a qualified Parliamentary Agent and extends the team’s expertise as a key contact for large landowners and local councils seeking advice on their objections to parliamentary infrastructure projects such as HS2. Aidan Dickinson, who advises on the compulsory purchase elements of private bills and DCO schemes, is also highly recommended for his advice to clients petitioning against major infrastructure schemes.

Sharpe Pritchard LLP is well-regarded for its expertise in planning and highways matters, which it handles for London Boroughs and city councils across the country in connection with residential developments, urban regeneration schemes, and major cultural and educational projects. The team is also well-versed in handling procurement work for a wide variety of local authority operations. Julia Rudin is a key contact for such procurement initiatives and co-leads the practice with property expert Rob Hann and ‘outstanding’ construction lawyer Justin Mendelle. Further key contacts in the team include infrastructure expert Roseanne Serrelli as well as parliamentary infrastructure specialist Emyr Thomas.