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England - North West • Public sector
3

Local government

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Weightmans LLP

More information
Local authorities across the UK frequently turn to Weightmans LLP for its ‘excellent approach to understanding the needs of a local government client’. The team handles a range of matters, which often include major town regeneration projects, property transactions, equal pay disputes, governance advice, public procurement assistance and framework advice. Liverpool-based Simon Goacher advises local authorities on governance, member conduct investigations and council constitutions and leads the team. Vincent King has expertise in procurement law, long-term contracts and the supply of services and funding agreements and is a further key contact based in the North West.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Excellent approach to understanding the needs of a local government client which leads to pragmatic but technically sound advice. This is important to us as not all practices have that understanding.’

  • ‘Weightmans constantly have their finger on the pulse around any commercial developments and recent matters which may impact their advice. Knowing the market and any issues which may crop up (including best ways to deal with them) puts Weightmans ahead of the pack. Weightmans have been excellent when faced with complex and sophisticated matters, which under Procurement law happens frequently.’

  • ‘Rike Ridings is an excellent solicitor – considerable knowledge of local government, patient and quality advice always given. Vincent King is an excellent Lawyer with vast knowledge across multiple practices. Expertly advising in respect of Procurement and Contracts.’

  • ‘Very knowledgeable and responsive.’

  • ‘Simon Goacher - excellent pragmatic and responsive local government lawyer, great team player always.’

Key clients

  • West of England Combined Authority
  • Association of Directors of Public Health
  • Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
  • Liverpool City Council
  • Hertfordshire County Council
  • Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council
  • London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • Manchester City Council
  • EM Lawshare
  • NW Legal Consortium

Work highlights

Advising Greater Manchester Combined Authority and local authorities on Project Skyline a significant project which seeks to address failures in the market for residential children’s care.
Advising Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority on issues arising from its two long-term waste PPP contracts.
Acted for Staffordshire County Council on a successful defence of a judicial with significant implications for local authority powers and decision making.

Practice head

Simon Goacher

Other key lawyers

Vincent King; Radhika Aggarwal; Rike Ridings