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
Ros Foster
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."
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Public Matters - November 2022
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Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - October 2022
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Opinion
Procurement Bill — what’s new in 2022?
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.
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).
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Welcome to our September edition of Public Matters, our monthly round-up of legal updates, news and insights for the public sector.
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IR35 rules to be scrapped from April 2023
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Are Local authority companies subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2000?
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Government pension's consultation on the reporting of climate change risks
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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.
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Recent reports of flat roofs constructed using RAAC planks collapsing without warning prompted the SCOSS alert.
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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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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.
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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.
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80% hours for 100% pay? That’ll do nicely
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.
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Public Matters - May 2022
Updates include Section 106, Changes to the statutory framework for local government in Wales and more.
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.
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Right to Work Checks: Changes from 6 April 2022
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).
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Public Matters - March 2022
Updates include Agile contracting in Government, Liberty Protection Safeguards, survey consultation, Health and safety success for schools at trial and more.
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Wide interpretation of “detriment” caused victimisation claim to succeed
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) decision in the case of Warburton v The Chief Constable.
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When is a survey a consultation?
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.
Legal Update
Agile contracting in Government
The key benefits and pitfalls for agile software contracting, and recommendations for government bodies.
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - February 2022
Updates include UK Shared Prosperity Fund, contracts, Subsidy Control Bill, data controller liability, Government Covid-19 procurement and Highway Code revisions.
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Procurement Policy Notice 09/21: Update to legal and policy requirements to publish procurement information on Contracts Finder
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Exclusion grounds under the new procurement regime
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.
Legal Update - Public matters newsletter
Public Matters - December 2021
Updates include waste law, construction contracts, procurement, and education law.