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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...

Legal updates

Public Matters - November 2021

Updates include data breach claims, contract law, procurement & bids, Environmental Protection Act, historical abuse & negligence.

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Legal updates

Stemming the tide of data breach claims: good news for data controllers

The cases summarised give considerable comfort to data controllers seeking to defend themselves against claims that relate to breaches arising as a result of a failure rather than a direct act and/or are based on assertions of damage or distress that are exaggerated, unsubstantiated or bear little relation to the breach itself.

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Legal updates

Onerous terms: the devil is in the detail!

This article set out sets out the legal position on the incorporation of both standard and onerous T&Cs into a contract before exploring HHJ Davies’ conclusion that the claimant’s onerous T&Cs had not been successfully incorporated.

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Legal updates

Amendments to public procurement thresholds

Every two years, the Cabinet Office is obliged to review the threshold figures contained within: (1) the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011; (2) the Public Contracts Regulations 2015; (3) the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016; and (4) the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016.

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Our people

Related opinions

Environmental Protection Act 1990 claims - the next big thing for claimant solicitors?

Over the last few years, our local authority and housing association clients have reported a significant increase in the number of claims received, usually from one of a specific group of claimant solicitors acting on behalf of tenants alleging a breach of their landlord’s repairing obligations.

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