Leading Associates

Local government in Yorkshire

Bevan Brittan LLP

Delivering ‘expert advice with professionalism’ is a key tenet of Bevan Brittan LLP‘s local government practice, which works closely with local authorities on complex governance and reorganisation matters, PFI and PPP projects, and disputes. Advising on local government health and safety cases is another strength of the practice, along with acting on children’s services cases. Ash Woodcock leads the practice which stands out for its ‘expertise and availability ‘, with Judith Hopper also playing a key role in the team. David Kitson has expertise in public and governance work, while James Teagle is skilled at handling land-based disputes. Jessica Boardman is ‘knowledgeable and practical’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ash Woodcock


Autres avocats clés:

Judith Hopper; David Kitson; James Teagle; Jessica Boardman


Les références

‘The Bevan Brittan team have a very broad range of experience and expertise that covers the diverse needs of our Local Authority. They deliver expert advice with professionalism and often respond to very challenging timelines.’

‘The team in procurement has the complementary strengths and specialisations which means that they were able to address our particular needs.’

‘Jessica Boardman was knowledgeable and practical, and was able to advise us in a way that avoided a potential legal challenge to a procurement exercise.’

Principaux clients

Cardiff Council


Shropshire Council


Folkestone & Hythe District Council


City of Wolverhampton Council


South Tyneside Council


Oxfordshire County Council


London Borough of Merton Council


London Borough of Brent Council


Bradford Metropolitan District Council


London Borough of Havering Council


London Borough of Haringey Council


Malvern Hills District Council


East Devon District Council


Royal London Borough of Greenwich Council


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Bradford Metropolitan District Council on the disposal of multiple property assets with an estimated combined value of £45m.
  • Commissioned by LLG (Lawyers in Local Government), CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) and SOLACE (Society of Local Authority Chief Executives) to draft a code of professional practice for carrying out the roles of the three key local government statutory officers.
  • Advising North Yorkshire Combined Authority in relation to a multi-million pound home energy upgrade scheme for individual private homes.

Pinsent Masons LLP

Pinsent Masons LLP‘s local government practice is ‘calm, knowledgeable and solution-focused’, and acts for a vast number of local authorities on high-profile schemes. The team works closely with energy specialists at the firm, and is skilled at handling infrastructure developments and project financings. Anne Bowden leads the practice that is ‘very well known for infrastructure but also excellent for regeneration projects’, and is recognised for her local authority regeneration work. Jon Riley is a skilled planning lawyer, and advises on major regeneration schemes, while Nick McDonald has extensive energy expertise.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anne Bowden


Autres avocats clés:

Jon Riley; Nick McDonald


Les références

‘Calm, knowledgeable and solution-focused. Team players who I am always pleased to work with on long-term complex projects.’

‘I am always pleased to work with Nick McDonald. His knowledge and collaborative approach are valuable and ensure negotiations don’t end in confrontation.’

‘The team is very well known for infrastructure but also excellent for regeneration projects.’

Principaux clients

Durham County Council


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Leeds City Council


Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council


London Borough of Wandsworth


Westminster City Council


London Borough of Barnet


London Borough of Islington


Maidstone Borough Council


London Borough of Camden


London Borough of Hackney


London Borough of Southwark


Richmond upon Thames Council


London Borough of Enfield


South Gloucestershire Council


South Tyneside Council and Sunderland City Council


London Borough of Haringey


Kent County Council


London Borough of Richmond upon Thames


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for London Borough of Wandsworth on its two largest council estate regeneration projects which will deliver over 4500 new homes.
  • Advising IAMP LLP (a joint venture between Sunderland and South Tyneside Councils) on the major advanced manufacturing park to service Nissan in the northeast.
  • Acting as sole legal adviser to West Yorkshire Combined Authority across its grant funding and infrastructure programmes in West Yorkshire.

Walker Morris LLP

Governance, procurement, and freedom of information matters are all strengths of the team at Walker Morris LLP, and the practice regularly advises local authorities as well as private sector clients on local government projects, developments, frameworks, and contracts. Ben Sheppard and Chris Woodthorpe lead the practice; Sheppard has expertise in PPP projects, subsidy control, and procurement law, while Woodthorpe specialises in regeneration and development transactions. Sarah Ward has competition expertise, particularly advising on state aid and subsidy control issues, while Lee Gordon specialises in planning and infrastructure mandates. Carly Thorpe and Lynsey Oakdene are also noted.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ben Sheppard; Chris Woodthorpe


Autres avocats clés:

Sarah Ward; Lee Gordon; Carly Thorpe; Lynsey Oakdene


Les références

‘Walker Morris has a good range of experience and understanding of the PFI sector’s nuances. They provide practical and innovative legal solutions that align with the intricate financial, contractual, and commercial aspects of PFI projects. Their ability to navigate complex stakeholder relationships ensures effective collaboration and successful outcomes.’

Principaux clients

Arun District Council


Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council


Barnsley Premier Leisure


Bradford Metropolitan Council


Cumberland Council


Department of Levelling Up Housing and Communities


Eveleigh LINK Academy Trust


Every Child Matters Academy Trust


FCC Environment


Harrogate Borough Council


Homes England


Kier Construction Limited


Kier Property Developments Limited


Lancashire County Council


London Borough of Tower Hamlets


North Yorkshire Council


Oil and Pipeline Agency


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council on governance matters and the contractual and funding strategy (involving community investment) for an innovative project to be delivered in partnership with a community energy society, for the installation, maintenance, and management of up to 1000 solar PV installations across the council’s housing stock.
  • Advising the 5 Garden Town partner authorities in relation to the delivery of Harlow Garden Town.
  • Advising Arun District Council in relation to a high-value district wide combined cleansing services contract and related procurement matters.

Addleshaw Goddard

Planning, infrastructure and property matters, and litigation are all strengths of the local government practice at Addleshaw Goddard. The team acts on major transactions in the energy, transport, and public infrastructure sectors, and is skilled at handling procurement cases. Anna Heaton leads the practice, specialising in developments and public sector investment projects, along with Ian Smith, who advises on commercial property work. Sara Gilmore focuses on infrastructure projects and partnering arrangements, while Paul Hirst has rail and transport expertise. Richard Goodfellow and Louise Dobson are also noted.

Responsables de la pratique:

Anna Heaton; Ian Smith; Sara Gilmore


Autres avocats clés:

Paul Hirst; Richard Goodfellow; Louise Dobson


Les références

‘This practice has managed to deal with everything that has been thrown at them from planning and infrastructure, general property matters, and litigation, all in a timely fashion, pulling in additional resources as and when required to meet the sometimes tight timelines.’

‘They have always acted promptly and effectively when dealing with very complex matters on railway station projects.’

Principaux clients

South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority


The Council of the Borough of Kirklees


Luton Borough Council


West Midlands Combined Authority


Hartlepool Development Corporation


Leeds City Council


Tyne and Wear Passenger Transport Executive T/A Nexus


Kingston-Upon-Hull City Council


Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council


Genr8 Kajima Regeneration


London Luton Airport Limited


Greater London Authority


London Legacy Development Corporation


Transport for London


Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority


Principaux dossiers


  • Advised the City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council in relation to the Bradford Live project, a £50.5m regeneration of a prominent city centre building into a new multi-purpose entertainment venue.
  • Advised Kingston-Upon-Hull City Council in relation to the procurement of a development partner for the East Bank Urban Village Project, which aims to develop 850 homes on brownfield land on the East Bank of the River Hull.
  • Advised South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority on its assessment of bus franchising under the Bus Services Act.

DLA Piper

DLA Piper’s local government practice is ‘efficient, well organised and the team is very pleasant to work with’,  and advises on major procurement projects, planning issues, and local government powers. Transport and energy are key areas of focus for the team, with de-carbonisation a particular area of strength. Team head Robert Smith has ‘exceptional knowledge’, and works for combined authorities on complex matters related to heavy and light rail, as well as bus networks. Smith is noted alongside Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby for being ‘helpful, polite and explaining things clearly’.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robert Smith


Autres avocats clés:

Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby


Les références

‘DLA Piper is efficient, well organised and the team is very pleasant to work with. They’re always responsive and turn around work to a high standard.’

‘In our area of work, specifically regulated transport such as Bus Reform, individuals such as Robert Smith and Ntsakisi Baloyi Rigby have exceptional knowledge, not only about the legal perspectives but the operational factors in the industry which allow them to bring their legal knowledge to life. They are always helpful, polite and explain things clearly and are a pleasure to work with as part of our extended team.’

Principaux clients

Manchester City Council


Liverpool City Region Combined Authority


Transport for Greater Manchester


Greater Manchester Combined Authority


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


North East Combined Authority


South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority


Transport for Wales


Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive


Principaux dossiers


  • Advising MCC on a landmark public procurement of clean energy through a virtual power purchase agreement with AGR.
  • Advising TfGM and GMCA on the successful implementation of bus franchising across the whole of Greater Manchester.
  • Advising South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority on taking operation of the Supertram system in-house.

Freeths LLP

Freeths LLP‘s local government team offers a comprehensive service to local authorities, frequently advising on intricate town centre regeneration projects. Members of the practice advise on all aspects of local government work, spanning tax, property litigation, and town planning issues. Liz Banks is key to the practice, with expertise in commercial developments, fund management, and acquisitions and disposals. Penny Simpson and Frank Suttie are further key names to note.

Autres avocats clés:

Liz Banks; Penny Simpson; Frank Suttie


Les références

‘Adaptable to the demands of the work with very knowledgeable staff, always willing to offer solutions and ideas to improve the service we receive.’

Principaux clients

Allerdale Borough Council


Amber Valley Borough Council


Ashfield District Council


Audlem Parish Council


Babergh District Council


Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council


Basildon Borough Council


Bassetlaw District Council


Bath and North East Somerset Council


Bedford Borough Council


Bingham Town Council


Birmingham City Council


Blaby District Council


Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council


Bolsover District Council


Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council


Boston Borough Council


Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council


Bracknell Forest Borough Council


Brighton and Hove Council


Bristol City Council


Broughton Astley Parish Council


Broxbourne Borough Council


Broxtowe Borough Council


Buckinghamshire Council


Calverton Parish Council


Cambridge City Council


Cambridgeshire County Council


Cannock Chase District Council


Central Bedfordshire Council


Charnwood Borough Council


Cherwell District Council


Cheshire East Council


Cheshire West and Chester Council


Chesterfield Borough Council


Clowne Parish Council


Cornwall Council


Coventry City Council


Cumberland Council


Cumbria County Council


Derby City Council


Derbyshire Building Control Partnership


Derbyshire County Council


Derbyshire Dales District Council


Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Authority


Devon County Council


Dorset Police


Dronfield Town Council


Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council


Duffield Parish Council


Durham County Council


East Hertfordshire District Council


East Lindsey District Council


East Northamptonshire District Council


East Sussex County Council


Eden District Council


Enfield Council


Epsom & Ewell Borough Council


Erewash Borough Council


Exeter City Council


Eynsham Parish Council


Fareham Borough Council


Fenland District Council


Folkestone & Hythe District Council


Forest of Dean District Council


Gateshead Council


Gloucester City Council


Gloucestershire County Council


Gravesham Borough Council


Guildford Borough Council


Halton Borough Council


Hampshire County Council


Hanborough Parish Council


Harborough District Council


Harlow Council


Havant Borough Council


Herefordshire Council


Hertfordshire County Council


High Peak Borough Council


Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council


Horsham District Council


Huntingdonshire District Council


Ipswich Borough Council


Isle of Wight Council


Kent County Council


Kingston Upon Thames London Borough


Kirklees Council


Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council


Lancashire County Council


Lee Valley Regional Park Authority


Leeds City Council


Leicester City Council


Leicestershire County Council


Lewisham London Borough Council


Lichfield District Council


Lincolnshire County Council


Liverpool City Council


Liverpool City Region Combined Authority


London Borough of Barking & Dagenham


London Borough of Brent


London Borough of Bromley


London Borough of Camden


London Borough of Ealing


London Borough of Hackney


London Borough of Harrow


London Borough of Havering


London Borough of Hillingdon


London Borough of Lambeth


London Borough of Newham


London Borough of Richmond upon Thames


London Borough of Sutton


Luton Borough Council


Mansfield District Council


Melton Borough Council


Merseyside Police


Merton London Borough Council


Mid Suffolk District Council


Middlesbrough Borough Council


Milton Keynes City Council


Milton Keynes Development Partnership


Mole Valley District Council


Newark & Sherwood District Council


Newcastle City Council


Norfolk County Council


North Devon Council


North East Derbyshire District Council


North East Lincolnshire Council


North Hertfordshire District Council


North Northamptonshire Council


North Somerset Council


North Warwickshire Borough Council


North West Leicestershire District Council


Northampton Borough Council


Northleach with Eastington Town Council


Northumberland County Council


Nottinghamshire County Council


Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service


Nottinghamshire Police Authority


Nuneaton & Bedworth Borough Council


Old Bolsover Town Council


Oxford City Council


Oxfordshire County Council


Peterborough City Council


Plymouth City Council


Reading Borough Council


Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council


Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Services


Royal Borough of Greenwich


Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead


Rugby Borough Council


Rushcliffe Borough Council


Rushmoor Borough Council


Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council


Sefton Council


Selston Parish Council


Sheffield City Council


Shropshire Council


Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council


Somerset Council


South Cambridgeshire District Council


South Holland District Council


South Lakeland District Council


South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority


Southampton City Council


Spelthorne Borough Council


St Helens Council


Stafford Borough Council


Staffordshire County Council


Staveley Town Council


Stevenage Borough Council


Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council


Stoke on Trent City Council


Stratford Upon Avon District Council


Sunderland City Council


Surrey County Council


Swindon Borough Council


Tamworth Borough Council


Telford and Wrekin Council


Thanet District Council


The Cornwall Council


The Council of the Borough of South Tyneside


The North Yorkshire Council


The Police & Crime Commissioner for Kent


The West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Torfaen County Borough Council


Transport for the North


Truro City Council


Wakefield Metropolitan District Council


Walsall Council


Wandsworth Borough Council


Wantage Town Council


Ware Town Council


Warrington Borough Council


Waverley Borough Council


Welwyn & Hatfield Borough Council


West Berkshire District Council


West Lancashire Borough Council


West Midlands Combined Authority


West Midlands Fire Service


West Northamptonshire Council


West of England Combined Authority


West Suffolk Council


West Yorkshire Combined Authority


Westminster City Council


Westmorland & Furness Council


Wigan Council


Wiltshire Council


Winchester City Council


Winkfield Parish Council


Woking Borough Council


Wokingham Borough Council


Woodstock Town Council


Worcestershire County Council


Wyre Forest District Council


York City Council


Principaux dossiers


  • Acting for Leeds City Council, the local authority of the City of Leeds in West Yorkshire in delivering large, city-wide “natural capital” project.
  • Acting for Horsham District Council which is leading a group of councils to deliver a new scheme called the Sussex North Offsetting Water Scheme.
  • Acted for West Northampton Council: ZEBRA Project -grant funding of a bus operator under a complex multi-party arrangement.