The role of government and its people is under immense global pressure, and ever-increasing public scrutiny. Despite the list and urgency of domestic and international issues growing by the day, government departments must be innovative and do more, with less.
At Browne Jacobson, we’ve always worked across business and society, and this expertise sets us apart. As national law firm with international reach, we specialise in key industries and big issues that affect us all. For our Central Government clients this means we understand the challenges and provide commercial advice in the ever-changing political and wider societal environment in which you deliver.
As an approved supplier to Crown Commercial Services, the Government Legal Department, Welsh Government Commercial Delivery and the NHS, we provide world-class advice on current and complex matters of government.
Connection gets results and underpins the way in which we partner with our clients. From central government departments and devolved national governments to government agencies, local authorities and wider public bodies, we work as an extension of in-house teams – adding capacity and specialist knowledge when needed.
Our clients include Homes England, the Teaching Regulatory Agency, NHS England, the Welsh Government, the Health and Safety Executive, Sports England Natural Resources Body for Wales, the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, the Security Industry Authority and Natural England.
We’re one of only two firms appointed to conduct the investigation of and undertake regulatory prosecution of teachers for misconduct in the education profession.
We’re advising the Department of Health and Social Care on the sourcing and contracting of a new information management systems and services function – which underpins the Department’s core and critical information and management systems upon which many parts of the UK health service rely.
We’re advising the Department of Business Energy and clean energy firm Lux Nova on the subsidy control aspects of the rollout of the £350m heat network improvement project.
We advised the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy on the transfer scheme for the reallocation of property, assets and associated liabilities from the Secretary of State to the Oil and Gas Authority.
"I’ve worked on a number of projects with Browne Jacobson, notably managing the legal work to create Natural Resources Wales. They have always been professional, flexible where necessary, and focused on delivering our outcomes."
Law firm Browne Jacobson has collaborated with Wiltshire Council and Christ Church Business School on the launch event of The Council Company Best Practice and Innovation Network, a platform which brings together academic experts and senior local authority leaders, allowing them to share best practice in relation to council companies.
Settlement agreements in an employment context are ordinarily used to provide both parties with certainty following the conclusion of an employment relationship – but what happens when there is alleged discrimination after entering into a settlement agreement?
Updates include UK Shared Prosperity Fund, contracts, Subsidy Control Bill, data controller liability, Government Covid-19 procurement and Highway Code revisions.
The Procurement Bill (the Bill) has now been with us for about four months, during which time there have been a huge number of amendments proposed in the House of Lords (circa 320). Lately, there has been less mention of it — unsurprising, really, given everything else going on in politics recently — but here’s a summary of some of the key issues and themes so far.
Browne Jacobson has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Service’s (CCS) Public Sector Legal Services Framework on Lot 1a – full-service provision (England and Wales) and Lot 2a – general service provision (England and Wales).
Welcome to our September edition of Public Matters, our monthly round-up of legal updates, news and insights for the public sector.
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.
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.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has published a consultation on proposals to require Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) administering authorities (AAs) in England and Wales to assess, manage and report on climate change risks.
Welcome to our August edition of Public Matters, our monthly round-up of legal updates, news and insights for the public sector.
The use of social media platforms and applications can have overwhelmingly positive benefits for public bodies. However, regulatory action recently taken by the Information Commissioner, has highlighted various pitfalls that public bodies should seek to avoid if allowing staff to use social media as a communication tool.
Recent reports of flat roofs constructed using RAAC planks collapsing without warning prompted the SCOSS alert.
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.
Updates include Acclimatise! You can’t afford to cop-out, Responding to Grenfell – Slow progress is better than none and more.
The climate emergency has reached a point where real and substantial damage is being caused to both the planet and society. There has been a shift from planning and theorising the most effective solutions, to a phase where practical, efficient, and sustainable solutions are required at speed.
As has been widely reported this week, some 3,000 UK workers are taking part in a six month trial to assess the viability of a four-day working week without any reduction in their normal pay.
Updates include Section 106, Changes to the statutory framework for local government in Wales and more.
Updates include Local Health Systems, The role of local government and the UK EV Infrastructure Strategy and more.
From 6 April 2022, right to work checks on all migrant or settled prospective employees must be online and checks on British or Irish nationals will be manual (free) or digital (charged for).
Updates include Agile contracting in Government, Liberty Protection Safeguards, survey consultation, Health and safety success for schools at trial and more.
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision in the case of Warburton v The Chief Constable.
The recent case of Binder -v- Secretary of State for Work and Pensions [2022] EWHC 105 (Admin) (25 January 2002), is worth consideration for public bodies undertaking consultation.
The key benefits and pitfalls for agile software contracting, and recommendations for government bodies.
Updates include UK Shared Prosperity Fund, contracts, Subsidy Control Bill, data controller liability, Government Covid-19 procurement and Highway Code revisions.
Ending a contract can be tricky. This article highlights some key points to consider when thinking about termination.
Updates include social care, procurement, COP26 and employment law.
The Cabinet Office updated Procurement Policy Notice 09/21 and accompanying guidance in December 2021, which replaces PPN 07/21. We outline its scope, associated guidance and impact for contracting authorities.
A range of questions were subject to consultation on the grounds for excluding bidders from a procurement process. We consider some of the key proposals which will be taken forward in the new regime.
Updates include waste law, construction contracts, procurement, and education law.
Updates include data breach claims, contract law, procurement & bids, Environmental Protection Act, historical abuse & negligence.
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.
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.
A consortium bid is where two or more entities have decided to come together to bid for a contract opportunity. There is a big difference between consortium and sub-contracting arrangements.
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.
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.
