The elections team at Bates Wells is no stranger to helping political parties, MPs, political candidates, and third party interveners ‘navigate a complex and changing regulatory environment’, spanning electoral law, campaigning, charities, and political finance rules. Practice head Simon Steeden is ‘particularly experienced and knowledgeable’ in leading matters relating to political elections and campaigning, with established credentials in advising on cross-border political activity and cross-jurisdictional impacts of lobbying. Consultant Bob Posner leverages substantial experience as former Chief Executive of the Electoral Commission in assisting with elections and referendums administration, as well as political and campaign finance rules, while Eleonor Duhs is ‘highly approachable, easy to contact, and flexible in her approach’ to public affairs-focused work. Jessica Collings is ‘thoughtful and innovative’ across the breadth of lobbying, advocacy, and electoral law, and Suhan Rajkumar is ‘extremely collaborative, patient, and generous with his time’ in guiding campaigners through the impact of the Elections Act 2022.

As the preferred representatives of returning officers, Sharpe Pritchard LLP enjoys an exclusive position advising in advance of and on polling day, and defending individuals in contested elections, with unsurpassed expertise in election petition challenges before the High Court. Electoral law and parliamentary regulations specialist Alastair Lewis oversees the team, which is further sought after by local authorities, individuals, and organisations in matters pertaining to Boundary Commission reviews and Electoral Commission rules and regulations. Emyr Thomas ‘has an acute sense of the responsibilities of returning officers’, and has been a familiar face in the most significant election petitions of the past decade.

Firm of choice for the Conservative Party, Astraea Linskills is a trusted adviser to MPs, agents, and councillors facing a host of different issues in the electoral law sphere. On the contentious front, the team excels in representing Conservative elected officials in election petitions, and defamation, libel, and false advertising disputes. Based in Liverpool, the practice is led by the ‘particularly knowledgeable and dedicated’ James Roochove, whose defamation and reputation management experience is best deployed in defending those facing allegations of breaching electoral law. Nama Zarroug straddles the line between electoral and criminal law, with expertise in party complaints proceedings and electoral investigations.

Participating in the electoral law sphere particularly in support of campaigning groups, K&L Gates LLP has been present in issues concerning campaign conduct and financing, lobbying rules, post-Brexit legal implications, and Electoral Commission investigations. The team is led by Dylan Moses, who is proficient in the latter, and has also built a strong practice offering guidance on the repatriation of UK-held cultural artefacts. Rosie Naylor supports political parties, individual candidates, and third-party campaigners on their conduct both inside and outside regulated periods.