Local Government: London & UK-wide

This team is universally recognised as a leader in local government work, advising public sector clients on the full range of governance, powers and vires, regeneration matters, judicial review and PPP and PFI projects. Recent work includes advising Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council on the introduction of its Single Status terms and conditions to its employees and the related litigation. It also has a strong waste practice and is acting for three local authorities in a significant ongoing dispute with their long-term waste infrastructure provider.

Client Service "The overall level of service is excellent, as are its response times and the appropriateness of its advice. The team has very good strength and depth and when required we have accessed specialists with ease."

Commercial Awareness "Its business acumen and knowledge of the industry are excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Judith Barnes is an established practitioner with a wealth of experience in the public sector.

This dedicated local government team receives particular praise for its housing work and is widely considered a leader in PFI/PPP matters. Highlights include advising the London Borough of Newham and West Ham Football Club on their bid to lease and operate the Olympic Stadium following the 2012 games. It has also been assisting the London Borough of Greenwich in the regeneration of three estates in Woolwich and acting for the London Borough of Barnet in its £200 million Dollis Valley Estate regeneration. In addition, it recently completed a £1 billion PFI/BSF project for Essex County Council.

Client Service "This very professional group is supportive in its relationship with us and delivers high-level, quality advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Malcolm Iley specialises in urban regeneration, waste infrastructure and PFI/PPP projects and is highly recommended for his expertise in these areas. Helen Randall has an impressive market profile due to her wealth of local government experience. Interviewees agree that she is a "class act" and "few people are better than her on social housing and PFI projects." Ian Doolittle has "indisputable" expertise in the sector and one appreciative client reports that "he made sure we were fully briefed on all issues and understood the repercussions of options and decisions, and his personable style ensured any disputes were handled coolly." Michael Mousdale recently joined the practice from Eversheds and is singled out for his outstanding procurement experience. Sources rate him highly for his “practical and solution-focused advice.”

The team operates from offices across the country and takes a multi-disciplinary approach to advise its local government clients on projects, construction, property, employment, dispute resolution and commercial law. It also offers a significant depth of expertise in governance, legislative and decision-making issues. It is currently representing Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council in a significant judicial review challenge of the Secretary of State’s decision to stop funding for BSF projects.

Commercial Awareness "It adds value in terms of its expertise and capacity."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group co-chairs Bethan Evans and Peter Keith-Lucas hold equally impressive positions of prominence in the sector. Evans has "a wonderful calming influence and the ability to bring direction to a project," whilst Keith-Lucas is highlighted for his expertise in the standards regime, with one interviewee commenting he has "an encyclopaedic knowledge of local government law." 

Sources are full of admiration for this national practice, with one interviewee commenting that it is "an exceptionally good team that can relate to client concerns." It is regularly instructed in major transactional work including regeneration and PFI projects, and has recently been advising Bournemouth Borough Council on its proposed regeneration of 16 sites throughout Bournemouth town centre. Successful panel appointments include London Borough Consortium Panel, Birmingham City Council Panel, Tyne and Wear Councils Panel and the North West Local Authorities Panel.

Client Service "The team is very approachable and focused on meeting client needs and providing in-house lawyers with first-class added-value activities such as training and weekly briefings."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Alan Aisbett is highly regarded for his expertise in waste projects and PFIs, and is currently advising Portsmouth City Council on the regeneration of three sites in Portsmouth for care housing.

Anna Forge was based in McGrigors' London office prior to its merger with Pinsent Masons. She specialises in local government, planning and general public law.

Admiring market observers commend this as a team that "punches above its weight," due to the high volume of quality work that it handles. It advises on projects across most sectors including education, housing and regeneration, healthcare, transport, IT and leisure, although it is best known for its contribution to the waste PFI and PPP sector. It also represents local authorities in agency work.

Client Service "Its service exceeded our expectations."  "A very customer-focused team that is willing to go the extra mile."

Commercial Awareness "It is commercially very astute."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Roseanne Serrelli and Nicola Sumner "work seamlessly together to ensure continuous coverage in unplanned urgent requirements," and "individually, their excellent interpersonal skills create an atmosphere conducive to productive team work and their enthusiasm instils confidence in stakeholders." Serrelli's "PFI knowledge and experience are exceptional," and both her and Sumner are "well respected in the local government and waste industry." Trevor Griffiths is also lauded for his commitment to the sector and has vast experience in judicial review and statutory appeals. John Sharland impresses with his substantial projects experience, particularly in the housing and social care sectors.

This "well-organised and focused" group is lauded for its work on behalf of local authority clients, particularly those in the health and education sectors. Its wide client base includes the Local Government Ombudsman, local government auditors, the Mayor of London and the Greater London Authority. Successful panel appointments include the consortium of London Boroughs and Kent Districts and North West Authority Legal Services. On November 1st, Davies Arnold Cooper will merge with Beachcroft. The resulting firm will be known as DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Client Service "We have always been really happy with the work it has done. It is good at sticking with pre-agreed fee arrangements and always flags up fee pressures early in the process."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The highly regarded Tony Child has over 40 years' experience in the sector, and sources are quick to express their admiration for his successful defence of Sharon Shoesmith in the high-profile judicial review to Ofsted. Sources identify Ioan Davies as an associate to watch for the projects and commercial advice he provides to local government bodies, commenting that "he is good at dealing with people of any level, he is very consistent, and he provides quality advice."

This Birmingham-based team is highly regarded for its strength in PFI/PPP projects. It also advises on planning and regeneration, and is currently advising Coventry City Council on a significant regeneration project that involves complex issues such as highways, stopping-up orders and compulsory purchase. Another piece of major work is the publicly funded scheme for the regeneration of Birmingham New Street Station, and the team was recently appointed to the East Midlands Law Share panel.

Commercial Awareness "Its advice has demonstrated commercial and up-to-date market knowledge within waste and procurement."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Bonnar is the key contact.

Clients are quick to praise this group for its expertise in the health and education sectors, although it also advises local authorities on regeneration, property work, PFIs, outsourcing and procurement. Recent highlights include handling all aspects of the Borough of Telford & Wrekin's £350 million Southwater Town Centre regeneration scheme and acting in numerous high-profile construction disputes throughout Barking and Dagenham. It is also advising all host boroughs for the 2012 Olympics on their branding and IP provision obligations.

Client Service "Everyone we have dealt with has provided a very good service, with the emphasis on listening and giving sound, relevant advice and showing that they understand our business."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nathan Holden is the key contact.

This “public sector practice is strong across the board,” providing full-service support to local authorities, such as its advice to Halton Borough Council on the 3MG project which covered regeneration, property, corporate and commercial issues. Particular areas of strength include defendant litigation and judicial review, and it successfully represented the council in the high-profile A v Essex Supreme Court case.

Client Service “These are people you know you can rely on; they can be counted on to provide sound advice, guidance and professionalism.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Graeme Creer has over 30 years' experience in the sector. Sources recognise his strengths in local authority and administrative law and governance.

This committed public sector group operates out of offices in London and Birmingham to offer local authority clients a full service that ranges from large PFI/PP and regeneration projects to HR and pensions advice and debt recovery and conveyancing matters. Croydon Council remains a large client, and the team has been advising it on procurement, TUPE and pensions issues over the last year. It also acted for the Mayor of London and the Olympic Park Legacy Company in legacy and regeneration issues and was successfully appointed to Oxfordshire Council’s legal services framework.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Regeneration team head Stephen Sellers is recognised as a sterling practitioner. Leader of the local government department Mark Greenburgh is an employment law specialist who advises on a range of corporate governance and strategic issues and is highly respected in local government circles. 

This national firm has a strong reputation for helping local authorities deliver major transactions in the housing, education, waste and health sectors. It also advises local authorities on responses to threatened challenges and judicial reviews, and has particular expertise in assisting trusts with their public consultation duties. The team has handled a substantial amount of BSF and regeneration projects, such as its work for Manchester City Council in the establishment of the Evergreen 2 Regeneration Fund.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mike O'Connor is the key contact.

The team has vast experience of representing local authorities in large-scale regeneration projects. This work is neatly complemented by the wider firm's renowned property and planning law expertise. Notable highlights include advising Bristol City Council on the £500 million Cabot Circus redevelopment, counselling Crossrail on the exercise of compulsory purchase powers and handling Liverpool City Council's involvement in the Merseytram project.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anthony Curnow is head of the planning and public sector group and has significant expertise in transport and real estate-related matters. He continues to advise long-standing client London & Continental Railways on its land acquisition for the High Speed 1 line.

The team is highlighted for its expertise in advising local authorities on real estate, regeneration, housing and planning. It has had a busy year with several estate renewal and housing schemes such as advising the London Borough of Tower Hamlets on its Blackwall Reach/Robin Hood Gardens regeneration and working with Berkeley Homes on the Woodberry Down estate. Another key highlight is its work for the Olympic Delivery Authority on all aspects of the delivery and disposal of the Athletes’ Village.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Yates is the key partner.

The team is best known for its planning and projects expertise in the niche areas of transport, energy and water. It also advises local authorities and other public sector bodies on issues such as procurement, public affairs and public policy. Recent work includes advising Nottingham City Council on a workplace parking levy scheme and providing counsel to Cambridgeshire County Council on the Cambridge Guided Busway. It also successfully represented Devon and Norfolk county councils in resisting a challenge to the Local Government Bill.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Robbie Owen heads the team.

Herbert Smith's leading real estate and public law practices place this local government team in a particularly good position to handle judicial reviews, major PFIs and regeneration projects. It sits on the TfL legal panel, and as such is advising on PPP contracts and the East London Line extension project. It also assisted the City of Sheffield in the redevelopment of its retail quarter and is defending judicial review proceedings that challenge a leisure company's licence.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Forsdyke is best known for his property expertise, and sources agree that "his skill in real estate comes into play on the big regeneration schemes." Practice head Andrew Lidbetter undertakes a significant amount of public law work and is complimented on his commitment to the public sector.

This local government practice forms part of the larger projects team, meaning it is well placed to advise on procurement, major PPP/PFI and regeneration projects. Recent work includes acting for Basingstoke in the procurement of a partner to develop Basing View and advising Sandwell Borough Council on the procurement of its waste recycling and street cleansing services. The group is increasingly busy in the education sector and is representing both Sheffield City Council and Wandsworth Borough Council in their BSF projects.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Practice head Stephen Matthew is an expert in public sector projects. He recently advised Ealing Council on two housing regeneration schemes worth £300 million.

Sources agree that this team's recent hire of Nicholas Dobson from Pinsent Masons will further strengthen its local government practice, which regularly advises on regeneration, transport and property issues. It continues to provide the Midland Metro Tram System with procurement advice and has also recently been representing Manchester City Council in a joint venture involving the Co-operative Group's regeneration scheme. Successful panel appointments include North West Legal Consortium, Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors Southern Branch Panel and the Northern panel of the Homes & Communities Agency.

Commercial Awareness "It is practical and pragmatic in its advice."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nicholas Dobson has an enviable reputation in the field, with first-class experience in local authority corporate governance issues.

This team is best known for the "premier planning service" it provides to its public sector clients, although it also has strength in real estate and urban regeneration work. It assists local and public authorities with procurement issues and advises on compulsory purchase orders as well as handling projects within the private sector.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Nick Mott is the key contact.

This Leeds-based local government team is part of the firm's larger commercial group. It has noted strength in projects and procurement as well as advising on acquisitions, waste management, governance and vires and BSF work. Nationwide panel appointments have given it an increasing presence throughout the UK, and it is also advising the Libraries Authority Northern Ireland on procurement, PFI/PPP contracts and ICT investment.

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Kilduff heads the commercial group and has substantial public sector experience. He also has a particular interest in renewables.

This team draws on expertise from across the firm to advise local authority clients on a variety of matters from projects, planning and employment to IP and criminal law. It is particularly active in the South West and is appointed to the panels for the London Boroughs Consortium and the London Boroughs Legal Alliance, although it also continues to serve as main external legal adviser for North Yorkshire County Council. It is acting for Derbyshire County Council and Lambeth Borough Council in strategic procurement processes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS John Bosworth is the team head.

The team maintains a strong reputation in the sector and continues to focus on compulsory purchase orders, regeneration, highways, planning and procurement work for local authorities. The energy sector is a particular area of expertise and the firm has been advising new client London Borough of Greenwich on the financing and development of a major infrastructure project which involves a district heating network and renewable energy power plants.

Commercial Awareness "We took it on because of its commercial private sector experience; it is able to understand the perspective of the investor and match like-for-like with our own commercial needs as an authority."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathan Bower is recognised for his work on compulsory purchase orders, and clients appreciate his ability to "succinctly and effectively deal with every problem thrown at him."

This "solid and reliable" team has a growing profile in the local government sector, delivering a wide range of services to clients such as East Midlands Lawshare, through which it acts for over 50 local authorities. Recent highlights include assisting the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council in establishing a public private corporate joint venture to regenerate part of central Bradford.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sources agree that Laura Hughes has many strengths; one interviewee describes her as "intellectually bright, unflappable and persistent; she grabbed and ran with all the legal issues." Hughes is an expert in judicial review and administrative law issues.

This group works out of both Kent and London and it is widely recognised for its advice to local authorities on real estate, planning and construction matters. It is also strong in the rail sector, handling a substantial workload for the High Speed 1 rail link and continuing to receive a steady flow of instructions from Crossrail. In addition, it is acting for the UK Border Agency in its 15-year lease of the Capital building in Liverpool.

Client Service "It is efficient, its advice is always concise, timely and understandable and we can always have a decent discussion with the group as it is open to ideas."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Miles Paffard leads the team.

This team has a particularly visible profile in the North East and is commended for its advice to local authorities on PFI projects, joint ventures, shared services and judicial review and procurement challenges. It remains active in the education sector and is advising Newcastle City Council on an academy conversion and St. Helen’s Council on its BSF scheme. Other recent work includes handling the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority's procurement of nine new fire stations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Iain Greenshields heads the public services and local government departments. He is praised for his academies expertise, as well as his significant experience of the PPP waste sector.

This cross-disciplinary team offers a dedicated governance and procurement offering, and interviewees praise its understanding of public sector clients' needs. It was reappointed to the Croydon framework agreement this year, which remains a great source of work for the group. It advises the council on employment, litigation, housing, contracts, prosecutions and property work. Other clients include the City of Westminster. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jenny Thorp is the key contact.

This team handles a broad range of work including academy conversions, housing association work and matters relating to leisure trusts, social enterprises and charities. Recent highlights include advising Bournemouth Borough Council on the procurement of its leisure, arts and conferencing services and handling a major regeneration project for Cornwall Council. The firm also houses a renowned parliamentary agency practice.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Randall is a consultant at the firm who advises local authorities on a range of issues. Sources agree that he is "extremely knowledgeable" and excels at "making legal jargon sound like understandable English." Interviewees highlight Joanna Bussell for her expertise in local government projects.