
Central government
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.
Why choose Browne Jacobson?
- Here to improve outcomes, we provide strategic and regulatory advice to help you achieve your objective of consistently delivering high-quality and fit-for-purpose public services.
- We go the extra mile at no additional cost to support you in your growth and development. From technical and skill-based training workshops and information seminars to help you stay up to date to networking events that enable you to connect and share best practice with likeminded professionals.
- Recognised nationally as ‘a true heavyweight’ in the public sector by legal directories, we have considerable experience helping government bodies through their formation, structural and statutory reforms and maintaining their good reputation.
- Social value is at the top of every business agenda. As a leading law firm, we take our responsibilities in this regard very seriously, and our commitment to making a positive contribution to society pervades everything we do. We ranked first in the 2021 Social Mobility Foundation’s Employer Index and are committed to sharing our experiences and initiatives with our clients.
- We’re on all major public sector procurement frameworks – meaning that you can have instant access our services, at a fair price and without the need for any additional due diligence or procurement.
Related products, services and sectors
Featured experience
Education profession
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.
Department of Health and Social Care
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.
Department of Business Energy
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.
Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy
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.
Key contacts

Peter Ware
Partner

Richard Medd
Managing Partner

Laura Hughes
Partner

Richard Barlow
Partner

Craig Elder
Partner

Barry Sully
Partner
What others say...
"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."
Latest insights and events
Legal Update
PPN 08/23: using standard contracts
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - June 2023
Legal Update
What are we to do about self reporting in PFI contracts?
Legal Update
Case summary: the importance of bringing a procurement claim within the appropriate time limits
Article
Challenging procurement decisions by way of Judicial Review - the key principles
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - May 2023
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Automatic suspension and procurement law
Press Release
UK and Ireland law firm Browne Jacobson joins UKREiiF 2023
Press Release
Browne Jacobson collaborates with The GLAA and University of Nottingham to tackle modern slavery and human trafficking
Press Release
Law firm Browne Jacobson appointed to work alongside the Government Legal Department - the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public matters - February 2023
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Procurement Bill debarment regime and ECHR issues
Published Article
Digital Twin Technologies: key legal contractual considerations
Guide - Procurement Act
Public procurement: key facts and compliance considerations
Press Release
Browne Jacobson advises Natural England on investigation of ‘first in its kind’ sentenced Devon farmer
On-Demand
The Subsidy Control Act 2022. Putting the new regime into practice
Legal Update
Updated Greening Government Commitments 2021 – 2025 published
Opinion
Is over centralisation hindering economic growth?
Press Release
Browne Jacobson helps launch new innovative council company network with Wiltshire Council and Christ Church Business School
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.
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - November 2022
Opinion
Settlement agreements – what are the limitations post Bathgate?
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?
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - October 2022
Updates include UK Shared Prosperity Fund, contracts, Subsidy Control Bill, data controller liability, Government Covid-19 procurement and Highway Code revisions.
Opinion - Procurement Act
Procurement Bill - what’s new in 2022?
Press Release
Browne Jacobson appointed to Crown Commercial Service’s Public Sector Legal Services framework
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).
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - September 2022
Welcome to our September edition of Public Matters, our monthly round-up of legal updates, news and insights for the public sector.
Legal Update
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.
Legal Update
Government pension's consultation on the reporting of climate change risks
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.
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - August 2022
Welcome to our August edition of Public Matters, our monthly round-up of legal updates, news and insights for the public sector.
Legal Update
Avoiding the pitfalls of WhatsApp
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.
Published Article
Reaction: Landmark ruling sees government's net-zero strategy ruled 'unlawful'
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Pre procurement planning the importance of early market engagement
Published Article
RAAC planks and its impact on local authorities
Recent reports of flat roofs constructed using RAAC planks collapsing without warning prompted the SCOSS alert.
On-Demand - Procurement Act
Get ready for reform: The new Procurement Bill
Opinion
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.
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - June 2022
Updates include Acclimatise! You can’t afford to cop-out, Responding to Grenfell – Slow progress is better than none and more.
Legal Update - Procurement Act
The Procurement Bill - selection, exclusion, conflict of interests and debarment
Published Article
Sustainability in construction
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.
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - May 2022
Updates include Section 106, Changes to the statutory framework for local government in Wales and more.
Legal Update - Procurement Act
Public procurement: Plus ça change, plus c’est la même choses
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - April 2022
Updates include Local Health Systems, The role of local government and the UK EV Infrastructure Strategy and more.