Blake Morgan LLP is a key contact for local councils, healthcare bodies and educational institutions seeking advice on procurement projects. Heading the team in tandem are Penny Rinta-Suksi, a specialist in outsourcing and projects in the leisure, culture and housing spaces, and David Hill, who specialises in matters concerning the governance of public health bodies and healthcare procurement issues. Bruce Potter has since moved into a consultancy role.

The ‘strong public sector team’ at Brachers (Part of Lawfront) specialises in advising NHS trusts on a range of matters, including procurement issues, often assisting local authorities and education providers. Catherine Daw is noted for her expertise in handling employment matters for NHS trusts, including collective bargaining discussions and tribunal hearings. Daw leads the team alongside Ash Jilani, who is called upon by primary care providers to assist with the development or acquisition of new properties. Rounding out the leadership group is Colin Smith, who often advises on TUPE issues and redundancies, in addition to acting for clients before employment tribunals.

Cripps acts for local authorities, government departments and utility providers, assisting with the development and management of housing, water and education assets, while also assisting clients with procurement processes and employment tribunals. Leadership of the practice is split between James Lee, a construction expert who also handles procurement aspects of major projects, planning specialist Beth Gascoyne and James Clewlow, who acts for housing associations and construction companies in relation to construction projects and acquisitions. Miles Paffard is an expert in property disputes, while healthcare matters are the domain of Holly Goacher, who focuses on the acquisition and disposal, and financing of retail pharmacies.

DAC Beachcroft LLP leverages its ‘excellent knowledge of the health sector’ to advise on the full spectrum of matters concerning healthcare clients, including procurement procedures and governance issues. The team draws on the expertise of Heather Durston-Hillyer and Belinda Dix. Dix is sought after by NHS bodies on dealings with the CQC and is also well versed in matters tied to patient safety and confidentiality, and also has experience of handling public inquiries and judicial reviews.

Birkett Long LLP specialises in both healthcare and education matters, including assisting GPs with partnership issues and property matters, and assisting parents with issues concerning their children’s special educational needs. The group also advises educational establishments on construction projects and data protection matters . Tim Field takes the lead on healthcare matters, acting for GP surgeries and care homes across a spectrum of commercial issues, while Thomas Emmett specialises in education and Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) law, often representing parents in SEND Tribunal appeals. Tracey Dickens departed the firm in October 2024.

Local authorities form a key part of Birketts LLP's client base, with the firm regularly advising on the planning and construction of housing and infrastructure projects. Ruth Neave is an expert in the regulations governing public procurement, also advising on governance matters. Neave leads the 'professional, supportive, responsive and knowledgeable' team alongside Matthew Newnham, who handles both contentious and non-contentious employment matters, and Abigail Trencher, who advises educational establishments, including academies and universities, while also leading the firm’s fitness to practice group.

Martin Searle Solicitors is characterised by its ‘excellent technical knowledge and attention to detail’ in its approach to community care matters, acting for claimants and their families who challenge health and social services care arrangement and funding decisions. Cate Searle heads the team, frequently advising professional deputies on the scope of their duties and assisting with the matters concerning care provisions and costs, including those relating to personal injury litigation.

Mills & Reeve LLP is frequently instructed by universities on a broad spectrum of issues, including major construction and development projects, employment and HR-related issues and contractual matters. Sarah Seed regularly advises higher education clients seeking financing for projects, and has particular expertise in fundraising matters. Seed leads the group alongside William Downing, an expert in both contentious and non-contentious employment matters.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP specialises in acting for higher education institutions in a broad range of matters, ranging from immigration and employment mandates to safeguarding issues. The group often appears before both Upper Tier and SEND Tribunals for university and school clients respectively. The ‘friendly, effective and competent’ Daff Richardson represents a number of high profile universities and colleges in individual and collective dealings with their employees, while Gemma Woodhouse assists independent schools with employment matters and issues arising out of wrongful exclusions.

Both local authorities and educational bodies form a large part of Blandy & Blandy LLP's client base. The group often advises on matters involving procurement and real estate issues, and employment and IP law. Heading the team is the highly experienced Nick Burrows, who assists both public and charity sector clients with the procurement and outsourcing of IT services, data protection issues and the management of IP portfolios.

Carter Bond Solicitors stands out for its focus on the healthcare sector, regularly advising on purchases and disposals of pharmacies, dental practices and care homes in the UK. Heading the team are Nikesh Shah and Hammad Naveed. Both Shah and Naveed are transactions specialists. Managing partner Reena Popat is able to assist healthcare clients with both transactional and refinancing matters.

Howes Percival LLP combines its expertise in planning and construction, employment and commercial law to advise councils and other public bodies on the development of new housing and educational projects, while also assisting GPs and other healthcare clients with the full range of education issues. Simon deMaid heads the team, specialising in employment issues and frequently acting for clients in tribunal claims, including those arising out of allegations of discrimination and executive terminations.

Thomson Snell & Passmore is well-versed in assisting primary and secondary schools, colleges and academy trusts with funding agreements and disputes, including those before the SEND Tribunal and employment discrimination litigation. Practice head Nick Hobden frequently appears before employment tribunals where issues between schools and teachers have arisen, in addition to handling parental complaints made against schools.

Moore Barlow’s public sector team is noted for its strength in dispute resolution, regularly acting for both claimants and defendants. The team is led by David Foster, whose approach is described as ‘pragmatic and constructive’. The team is well-placed to advise on the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, often focusing on complex and high-profile matters.

Tees Law's team expanded October 2024, with the arrival of Tracey Dickens from Birkett Long LLP, bringing her considerable experience in transactions involving care homes and medical partnerships. The team, under the guidance of Polly Kerr, also grew its education law capacity with the January 2025 arrival of Victoria Kerr. Both are adept at handling litigation concerning SEND matters and exclusion appeals.