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Sectors & services

Sectors

Government sector

Local authorities

local authorities

Local authorities are facing increasing challenges. Re-organisations and structural reform, financial pressures, community engagement and the need to remain dynamic and fair through political, social and economic change; all are complex tasks heightened by intense public scrutiny and media attention. Our teams work across all council service areas and are able to provide the expertise and resource sought by local authorities. We deliver expert advice to support you in delivering your evolving roles and objectives.

what we do...

Our clients – over 200 local authorities across England and Wales.
Our experience - externally endorsed by legal directories 'demonstrating our insight into legal issues faced by local authorities', appointments to public sector consortia.
Dedicated team of over 100 lawyers - based in Nottingham, Birmingham, London, Manchester and Exeter.
Providing excellent value - through delivery of expert legal advice together with our innovative and comprehensive supporting services such as research facilities, bespoke client portals, training and insight.

Experts in our field - adult and children’s services, Public Private Partnership projects, governance, procurement and constitutional issues, regeneration, shared services, state aid, civil and criminal litigation, planning, highways, environmental, property, property investment and employment.
Thought leaders – authors of reports on the issues surrounding shared services and mutual and more recently devolution, our monthly public sector newsletter - Public Matters, blog and delivering seminars in person and on-line.

focus on...

Legal updates

State aid – guidance on applying the market economy operator principle to district heating schemes

A recent commission decision regarding the reacquisition of the Hamburg District Heating Network (Decision) has given some useful insight in to ensuring that investment in to a district heating scheme by a public body is done in a way which is compliant with state aid principles, specifically the market economy operator principle (MEOP).

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Upcoming webinars

Local authority acquisition and disposal of land

Our speakers will cover commercial and public law considerations in relation to local authority acquisition and disposal of land.

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Legal updates

Case update: abandoning a public procurement process

In the case of Amey Highways Ltd v West Sussex County Council, the High Court considered whether it was lawful for a contracting authority to abandon a procurement process and whether that decision extinguished a bidder’s accrued causes of action.

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Legal updates

Extending the scope of fixed recoverable costs: Ministry of Justice consultation

In March 2019, the Ministry of Justice launched a formal consultation (which came to an end on 6 June 2019) aimed at extending the use of fixed recoverable costs in civil claims.

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View all

what our clients say....

Good experience over the last year. Interested in our needs and have generally responded well.

Andy Warman, Octavia Housing

what the directories say...

Clients say the firm 'delivers real added value. The team doesn't just think about the legal problem before them but also the overall strategic issues. The firm is approachable and friendly. Also, it offers a whole range of legal services so can be a one-stop shop.'

Chamber 2018

Clients say: 'We find them practical and down to earth. They are able to work on complex delivery projects where timelines are tight, responses are always needed immediately, and the scope, scale, and type of the work can change several times during the project.'

Chamber 2018

Browne Jacobson LLP ‘is able to take on complex and difficult cases at very short notice and provides clear, thoughtful and reliable advice’.

Legal 500 2017

the firm’s ‘pragmatic’ London team, which ‘combines excellent attention to detail with exceptional market knowledge’.

Legal 500 2017

They have an excellent understanding of the context in which we operate, as well as a very good awareness of the public sector and the way local authorities operate in the political context.

Chambers 2017

They are very efficient and quick to respond, and are able to co-ordinate advice and draw on other expertise within the business.

Chambers 2017

recent experience

Acted for a Council in relation to the construction of a new public highway required to run through a business park – our advice included: site assembly, drafting infrastructure delivery agreement and related documentation , advice on SDLT/VAT/planning/procurement and state aid issues, review and advice in relation to Landowners’ Agreement, related drafting in Infrastructure Delivery Agreement, ransom strip arrangements and sharing of access fee payments.
Instructing Doncaster MBC in relation to the sale of their entire care home estate – this included advice on vires, procurement, state aid, HR Pensions and best value.
Acting for Kent County Council on important school projects including the delivery of the Trinity Free School - a highly complex project involving early work of demolition under an initial agreement with the main contractor, building contract, plus school development agreements and leases.
Advising a local authority on the outsourcing of its Learning & Achievement Services and HR & Finance Services - strategically important for the Council as it forms part of the overall revision of its future service delivery model.
Successfully acted in the prosecution of the owner of two hotels above licensed premises, and the risk assessor, who was contracted to complete a fire risk assessment for both premises. Significant fire safety failings were discovered at both premises leading to a risk of serious injury or death in the event of a fire.