The Manchester-based team at Addleshaw Goddard focuses on major transactions of all types for local government across an array of sectors. and advises on general service outsourcings, IT outsourcings, regeneration schemes, power issues, housing transactions, real estate investments, funds work, and transport projects. Additionally, the group is well-regarded for its expertise in the PPP and PFI spaces and frequently provides dispute resolution advice to local authority clients. The team is jointly led by Andrew Pettinger, who assists with major infrastructure, outsourcing and commercial transactions for local government clients, and Michael O’Connor, who covers public, private and project finance transactions across various infrastructure and social infrastructure sectors. Other key members of the team are Sara Gilmore, Stephanie Townley and Rob Thompson.
Local government in North West
Addleshaw Goddard
Responsables de la pratique:
Andrew Pettinger; Michael O’Connor
Autres avocats clés:
Sara Gilmore; Stephanie Townley; Rob Thompson
Les références
‘Strong knowledgeable lead consultant, this has enabled continuity over the time we have worked together. Wider range of specialist support available as required.’
‘I’ve worked with Stephanie Townley. Is very knowledgeable on our scheme and has an excellent understanding of challenges faced within local government, whether that be approvals, politics and our risk limitations. Stephanie is always responsive, supports the client in understanding key risks and is flexible in her approach.’
Principaux clients
Wigan Borough Council
Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council
Merseytravel
West Midlands Combined Authority
Greater London Authority
Transport for London
Trafford Borough Council
South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority
Council of the Borough of Torbay
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Wigan Borough Council on a secondary IT outsourcing involving the disaggregation of the existing service provision and a new procurement for a new Partner.
- Advising Stockport Council on achieving an appointment within nine months of being appointed, to facilitate an investment of £250m to develop a number of sites in its strategic Stockport Town Centre West area.
- Advising Merseytravel, West Midlands Combined Authority and South Yorkshire Mayoral Corporation on the development of their bus franchising assessments.
DLA Piper
With a particular focus on corporate and commercial projects, planning work and real estate issues as well as advising on large projects and assisting with contentious matters, DLA Piper’s government contracting department supports a wide variety of local government clients. The group is jointly headed up by Sarah Bell in Liverpool, who is well-versed in commercial projects, procurement matters and joint ventures, and Liam Cowell in Manchester, who handles complex and innovative deals in the local government space. Andrew S. Davies assists with waste, water and nuclear sector projects and procurement mandates; planning expert Sophie Stewart works with central and local government clients; Mark Beardwood advises on regeneration projects for local authorities; and Lee Brierley covers complex technology matters. Gemma Cowap is recommended for commercial mandates.
Responsables de la pratique:
Sarah Bell; Liam Cowell
Autres avocats clés:
Andrew S. Davies; Sophie Stewart; Mark Beardwood; Lee Brierley; Gemma Cowap
Les références
‘Excellent client focused team. Offering highly precise and clear legal advice which is easy to understand. I couldn’t recommend this firm highly enough.’
‘Sarah Bell is approachable, highly commercial, and able to provide client-focused advice that delivers results.’
Principaux clients
Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council
Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority
Halton Borough Council / Mersey Gateway Crossing Board Limited
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Liverpool City Council
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council
Transport for Greater Manchester
Transport for the North
Wirral Borough Council
Sciontec Developments Limited
Manchester City Council
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Sefton MBC in connection with the procurement of a state of the art multi-million pound marine lake events centre.
- Advised Sciontec from its establishment and advising on multiple commercial and development projects.
- Advising Wirral Borough Council in connection with its ongoing £1bn Birkenhead town centre regeneration scheme.
Browne Jacobson LLP
Browne Jacobson LLP provides specialist knowledge to clients in the waste management, recycling and disposal spaces, and handles infrastructure projects as well as procurement processes. The Manchester-based team, led by Michael Mousdale, also acts on high-profile PFI contract matters, outsourcing arrangements and disputes. Mousdale has vast experience in procurement work and PFIs and acts on matters in the waste sector, while Daniel O’Brien is the key contact for procurement issues, commercial contracts and commercial projects. Other key members of the team are Peter Ware and Alex Kynoch who divide their time between Manchester and Nottingham. Phillip Nyakudya, who joined the firm from Kennedys in September 2023, supports the department on commercial contracts and framework arrangements. Bradley Martin also joined the practice in July 2024 from Addleshaw Goddard.
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Mousdale
Autres avocats clés:
Peter Ware; Alex Kynoch; Daniel O’Brien; Phillip Nyakudya; Bradley Martin
Les références
‘The team are able to draw on extensive industry knowledge which results in advice and guidance that is not simply based on legislative understanding. They frequently identify scenarios and cases where similar issues are faced and use this to help improve decision-making.’
‘Uniquely experienced having advised a number of clients (including government departments) on the changing legislative landscape. This provides relevant, timely and bespoke legal advice.’
Principaux clients
Basingstoke & Deane BC
Derbyshire County Council
Stockport Council
Covanta Energy Limited
Merthyr Tydfil CBC
RECAP Partners
Plymouth Council
St Albans City & District Council
Suez SA
Staffordshire Moorlands District Council
Winchester City Council
Squire Patton Boggs
In Manchester, Squire Patton Boggs’s local government department is led by the experienced Mark Barker, who is well-versed in handling major development projects involving public and private sector collaborations. With extensive experience in the funding market, the team also frequently assists with regeneration projects and development transactions, as well as infrastructure and transport projects and renewables work, covered by Mark Gaffney, Julian Scott, Matthew Ingram and Amy Scott. Victoria Leigh advises on pensions issues, as well as litigation and alternative disputes, while Claire Shepherd advises public sector bodies on lending and grant funding transactions. Nick Helm departed to Mills & Reeve LLP in April 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Mark Barker
Autres avocats clés:
Mark Gaffney; Julian Scott; Matthew Ingram; Victoria Leigh; Claire Shepherd; Amy Scott
Les références
‘Matt Ingram and the team provide an excellent service, are knowledgeable and approachable and provide sound understandable advice and make themselves available when we need them. They also have an extensive team of other specialists they can call on for any other specific advice we need.’
‘Very reliable, efficient and approachable.’
Principaux clients
Leeds City Council
Manchester City Council
Warrington Borough Council
Leeds City Region Revolving Investment Fund LP
Wolverhampton City Council/West Midlands Pension Fund
West Northamptonshire County Council
Preston City Council
Lancashire County Council
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Transport For Greater Manchester
Chrysalis Fund
Liverpool City Region Urban Development Fund
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Lancashire County Council on the development of a new first class County Cricket ground at Farington, Lancashire in collaboration with Lancashire County Cricket Club.
- Acting for Preston City Council on several key strategic projects across Preston, including the council’s flagship £45m Animate project, a leisure led regeneration scheme in the city centre.
- Provided finance and subsidy control advice to Liverpool City Region Urban Development Fund in relation to the capital expenditure facility which it made to Surface Transforms plc.
TLT
TLT’s local government team advises clients on projects, employment issues, contracts, complex procurements, IT transformations, and large-scale development and regeneration projects. The Manchester-based department is headed up by Kuldip Dhanoya, who provides general commercial, contractual and procurement advice. John Hyde assists local authorities with commercial real estate investments, including large-scale developments and forward funding schemes, and Jon Hainey specialises in procurements. Other key members of the team are real estate finance specialist Andy Bell, planning expert Debbie Reynolds, as well as Joseph Meredith and Victoria Douglas. Jahanara Hussain left the firm in July 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Kuldip Dhanoya
Autres avocats clés:
John Hyde; Jon Hainey; Andy Bell; Debbie Reynolds; Joseph Meredith; Victoria Douglas
Les références
‘Debbie Reynolds remains a star performer – sound legal advice and very approachable.’
‘Very good at collaborating with large project teams. Technical knowledge is brilliant. prompt and responsive.’
‘Debbie Reynolds is very knowledgeable, patient, firm when she needs to be. Always thinking a few steps ahead. Works well within large project teams. She has a commanding presence. People sit up and take notice when she speaks.’
Principaux clients
Cheshire East Council
Oxfordshire County Council
Stockport Metropolitan Council
London Borough of Waltham Forest
London Borough of Brent
Mayor’s office for Police and Crime
Greater Manchester Police
Manchester Airport Group
Bradford City Council
London Borough of Haringey
Homes England
Trowers & Hamlins LLP
Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘ public sector group covers all aspects of local government projects and advisory work, such as state aid issues, regulatory work, procurements and litigation, as well as regeneration projects, housing developments and public sector infrastructure projects. The Manchester-based team is headed up by real estate expert Suzanne Benson, who specialises in major projects and the development of homeownership products, regularly advising local authorities in relation to affordable housing. Darren Ashworth has vast experience in development projects, in particular regeneration projects, and is recommended for being ‘very experienced and a safe pair of hands’. Litigator Dan Butler is experienced in procurement disputes, advising both bidders and contracting authorities. The group is well-supported by associate Gemma Fairbrother.
Responsables de la pratique:
Suzanne Benson
Autres avocats clés:
Darren Ashworth; Dan Butler; Gemma Fairbrother
Les références
‘The team instructed are experienced, efficient and helpful in assisting us with our work. They are reliable and attentive and understand our needs and deadlines.’
‘Darren Ashworth is very experienced and a safe pair of hands. He takes a pragmatic approach to problems and has the legal expertise to bolster this in finding solutions. He is very quick to respond to emails and has the quietest yet reassuring air of confidence.’
Principaux clients
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Cumberland Council
Warwick District Council
Bury Council
Lancaster City Council
Urban Growth Company and Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council
Guildford Council
Wirral Council
West Midlands Combined Authority
Lewisham Council
Southwark Council
Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
Central Bedfordshire Council
Gloucester City Council
London Borough of Hillingdon
Gravesham Borough Council
Rochdale Borough Council
Nottingham County Council
Kent County Council
Royal Boroughs of Kensington & Chelsea
London Borough of Hillingdon
City of London Corporation
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Greater Manchester Combined Authority on the provision of £150m of funding to unlock brownfield land.
- Advising Bury Council on the development of a new civic hub in Radcliffe.
- Acted for Warwick District Council on three deals acquiring 131 completed new build homes from national developers Taylor Wimpey, Persimmon and Bloor Homes.
Weightmans LLP
Providing full-service support to local authorities, Weightmans LLP covers a range of issues, including real estate matters, including development projects, major regenerations, and housing and property transactions, disputes, prosecutions, as well as governance issues, commercial contracts, shared services arrangements, and public procurement matters. The Liverpool-based team is headed up by Simon Goacher, who is an expert on matters of governance and member conduct for local authorities. Morris Hill is the key name for adult social care work, and Marion Robinson‘s practice has a notable emphasis on childcare matters.
Responsables de la pratique:
Simon Goacher
Autres avocats clés:
Morris Hill; Stephen Johns; Marion Robinson
Les références
‘I would highly recommend partner Simon Goacher. He knows and understands how local government works. He is very responsive, knowledgeable and experienced.’
‘Weightmans are a fantastic excellent team/practice who are always able accommodate your requirements/needs no matter what the issues or timescales may be. Their ability to be able to turn matters around quickly and efficiently whilst always ensuring the client’s position/interests is protected at all times is outstanding.’
‘What makes the individuals stand out for me is their ability to be able to translate/explain and communicate issues in a way that is easily understandable to the service area clients whilst at the same time being able to come to an appropriate resolution that protects the position of the authority. I truly value the commitment and relationship that we have with the organisation and the individuals that we have worked alongside so far.’
Principaux clients
West of England Combined Authority
Liverpool City Council
Greater Manchester Combined Authority
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Wigan MBC
Association of Directors of Public Health
Liverpool City Region Combined Authority
Nottinghamshire County Council
Hertfordshire County Council
Gloucestershire County Council
London Borough of Waltham Forest
Manchester City Council
EM Lawshare
NW Legal Consortium
Principaux dossiers
- Advising West Lancashire on its change of governance arrangements and adoption of a new constitution.
- Advising Sheffield City Council on setting up its non-statutory inquiry into the street trees dispute.
- Advising the partner local authorities on the Harlow and Gilston Town project including the setting up of a joint committee for improved governance and wide ranging planning advice.
Freeths LLP
Freeths LLP‘s local authorities team advises on all aspects of transactional work, construction issues, tax mandates, property litigation, and town planning matters, as well as local government regulatory and environment issues, and major property projects. The Manchester-based team consists of Jackie Heeds, Jill Carey, and Ian Tempest. Heeds is an expert in infrastructure and commercial transactions and specialises in energy, accommodation, transport, and regeneration projects, while Carey is the key contact for property work and litigation, and land acquisitions and disposals specialist Tempest has vast experience in major town centre redevelopment schemes.
Autres avocats clés:
Jackie Heeds; Jill Carey; Ian Tempest
Les références
‘The team has provided all round valuable legal advice for many varying contractual positions, relayed very well.’
‘The individuals are very thorough and ensure all facts are clearly understood prior to moving on. It feels full, legal advice is provided covering all potential aspects.’
‘The team are extremely knowledgeable and personable. They have dealt with numerous queries on the project swiftly, confidently and provided clear explanations and advice.’
Principaux clients
Plymouth City Council
The Cornwall Council
North Devon Council
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Gloucestershire County Council
Torfaen County Borough Council
Runnymede Borough Council
Waverley Borough Council
Rushmoor Borough Council
Walsall Borough Council
London Borough of Ealing
London Borough of Hackney
London Borough of Enfield
London Borough of Brent
London Borough of Newham
London Borough of Hillingdon
London Borough of Camden
London Borough of Sutton
London Borough of Lambeth
London Borough of Barking & Dagenham
Royal Borough of Greenwich
Peterborough City Council
Leicester City Council
North East Lincolnshire Council
Telford and Wrekin Council
Milton Keynes Development Partnership
Bassetlaw District Council
Derby City Council
Nottinghamshire County Council
Sheffield City Council
West Northamptonshire Council
Broxtowe Borough Council
Buckinghamshire Council
Oxford City Council
Cambridge City Council
Mansfield District Council
Leeds City Council
Milton Keynes City Council
Derbyshire Dales District Council
East Lindsey District Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Wokingham Borough Council
Nottingham City Homes Limited
Kirklees Council
Westmorland & Furness Council
The North Yorkshire Council
Fenland District Council
North East Derbyshire District Council
Ashfield District Council
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Newark & Sherwood District Council
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
Peak District National Park
Staffordshire County Council
Bedford Borough Council
Somerset Council
Harborough District Council
Nottinghamshire Police Authority
Boston Borough Council
Old Bolsover Town Council
Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council
Merton London Borough Council
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council
South Cambridgeshire District Council
Pathfinder Legal Services Limited
Worcestershire County Council
Bolsover District Council
Kent County Council
Solihull MBC
Leicestershire County Council
Derbyshire County Council
Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council
Central Bedfordshire Council
Charnwood Borough Council
Hertfordshire County Council
Cherwell District Council
High Peak Borough Council
Reading Borough Council
Nottingham City Council
Oxfordshire County Council
Amber Valley Borough Council
Surrey County Council
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
Luton Borough Council
Swindon Borough Council
South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority
Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority
Leicestershire County Council
Rugby Borough Council
Charnwood Borough Council
Birmingham City Council
Blaby District Council
Folkestone & Hythe District Council
Nottingham City Council
Thanet District Council
Transport for the North
Staveley Town Council
Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council
Luton Borough Council
Herefordshire Council
North Northamptonshire Council
Cumberland Council
Swindon Borough Council
North West Leicestershire District Council
North Somerset Council
Melton Borough Council
Cannock Chase District Council
Huntingdonshire District Council
Kingston Upon Thames London Borough
West Suffolk Council
Scape Group Ltd
Stratford Upon Avon District Council
Shropshire Council
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
Mid Suffolk District Council
Tamworth Borough Council
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service
Middlesbrough Borough Council
Newcastle City Council
Durham County Council
Gateshead Council
Northumberland County Council
Kirklees Council
Mole Valley District Council
Guildford Borough Council
Wigan Council
Eden District Council
Cheshire West and Chester Council
Lancashire County Council
Halton Borough Council
Sefton Council
West Yorkshire Combined Authority
Nottinghamshire County Council
West Midlands Combined Authority
Coventry City Council
Crawley Borough Council
Leicestershire County Council
Cambridgeshire County Council
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
Gravesham Borough Council
East Sussex County Council
Woodstock Town Council
Southampton City Council
Westmorland and Furness Council
Sunderland City Council
Wyre Forest District Council
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Cornwall Council on a pioneering geothermal district heat network to supply renewable heat to up to 4000 homes, a school, leisure centre and hospital.
- Advising Wigan Council on a £130m project involving the redevelopment of Wigan Town Centre.
- Advising Westmorland and Furness Council on a major complex project to procure and appoint a network of installers of home insulation systems under the Title HUGS 2 (Home Upgrade Grant scheme) for a range of properties together with evaluators/reviewers to check the quality of work.