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England - London • Public sector
5

Administrative and public law

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Burges Salmon LLP

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Burges Salmon LLP delivers a comprehensive administrative and public law service to both public and private sector clients through its large, multi-disciplinary team. The practice spans procurement, subsidy control, judicial review, public law disputes, inquiries, and investigations. Gary Soloman, a former local government lawyer, co-heads the team and is noted for his expertise in compulsory purchase, compensation, and planning challenges. John Houlden, also co-head, specialises in procurement and advises public and regulatory bodies across key sectors including defence, education, healthcare, and energy.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Hard-working, efficient and reliable public law team.’

  • ‘Gemma Ludgate is quite formidable; she is able to deal with tricky issues with laser-like focus.’

  • ‘Charlotte Whitaker is a phenomenon - fiercely intelligent, tactically astute and a pleasure to work with.’

  • ‘Gemma Ludgate has superb client handling skills and extremely good judgment.’

  • ‘I have found Burges Salmon to be a highly motivated and responsive team. Their advice is considered and pragmatic, with a strong focus on delivery.’

  • ‘All of the team have been strong, but Charlotte Whittaker has been particularly adept at bringing teams together to deliver under pressure. She provides sensible and pragmatic advice, drives the pace of work to meet ambitious timescales, and ensures that colleagues from across the team have the opportunity to contribute.’

Key clients

  • UK Covid-19 Inquiry
  • Post Office Limited
  • Nelson Biogas and others, four Special Purpose Vehicles for biogas generation and injection
  • ScotRail Trains Limited
  • UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA)
  • Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (“DESNZ”)
  • Blackbushe Airport Limited
  • Environment Agency
  • Isle of Anglesey County Council
  • Bath and North East Somerset Council
  • Grand Pier Limited (“GPL”)

Work highlights

Appointed to act for the Post Office Limited from September 2023 as Representative to the Post Office in the ongoing high-profile Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, advising the Post Office through Phases 5, 6 and 7 of the Inquiry hearings and supporting on ongoing disclosure to the Inquiry.
Appointed to provide the solicitor team delivering legal services to the UK Covid-19 Public Inquiry led by Baroness Hallett.
Advised the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) on the development of Heat Networks across England and Wales.

Practice head

Gary Soloman; John Houlden

Other key lawyers

Ian Tucker; Gemma Ludgate; Charlotte Whitaker