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Local authorities

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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.

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...

Browne Jacobson is excellent. It has really invested in the team and they are really good.

Chambers 2022

The team are very solution-focused with a can-do attitude. They were available any time and willing to consider any ideas the client had.

Chambers 2022

The firm has very good local government lawyers who really understand the sector.

Chambers 2022

They're got a good mix of experience in contentious and non-contentious matters. They're meticulous and details-focused.

Chambers 2021

They're reliable, knowledgeable and pragmatic in working with you.

Chambers 2021

We have used Browne Jacobson for a number of projects, usually for commercial property and development agreements. Their uniqueness lies in the fact that for the work they go on the journey with you so as well as their absolute expertise they become part of that project team – I have not seen that approach in other external lawyers we have used.

Legal 500 2021

Browne Jacobson has a rounded team able to advise on all aspects of local government and public law. I have been impressed with their collaborative approach to working with clients.

Legal 500 2021

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.

Focus on...

Blogs

IR35 rules to be scrapped from April 2023

The Chancellor’s recent mini-budget provided a significant announcement for business as it was confirmed that the off-payroll working rules (known as “IR35”) put in place for public and private sector businesses from 2017 and 2021 will be scrapped from April 2023.

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Legal updates

The reality of the future of devolution arrangements in England

Devolution is the transfer of powers in areas like transport, housing and skills in England and since the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 has been a much-discussed topic.

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Legal updates

Improving the performance of the NSIP planning process and supporting local authorities

Boosting local growth and improving infrastructure are key policy goals within the now familiar Government “Levelling Up” agenda. The Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill, when enacted, aims to ensure faster delivery of such infrastructure projects, through amendments regarding the Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIP) Development Consent Orders (DCO) system.

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Legal updates

Are Local authority companies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000?

In this article we look at local authority companies and whether they are subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000. And for those that are, what information are they legally obliged to submit.

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Our people

Related opinions

IR35 rules to be scrapped from April 2023

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Cameras in convenience stores: a potential hornet’s nest..?

A convenience retailer has opted to install cameras (the “Facewatch” system) at a limited number of its English stores to reduce crime and protect its staff.

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A helpful decision for claimant solicitors on Limitation under the Human Rights Act in abuse and assault cases?

In this month’s decision of CJ & Ors v Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police the court was given the task of considering whether a sexual abuse action, brought under the Human Rights Act 1998 should be allowed to proceed to trial where the claim had been brought outside the one-year period prescribed by the Act.

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Homes England partners with local authorities to boost the levelling up agenda

Homes England, the government’s housing accelerator, has partnered with two local authorities, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and the Association of South Essex Local Authorities, in a new Strategic Place Partnership (SPP) which is designed to align with the government’s levelling up agenda by delivering new homes in the regions.

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