SERVICES FOR
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

A specialist law firm focused on delivering solutions to local authorities and their arms-length bodies on their real estate, planning, construction, environment and public law matters.

Faced with dwindling resources, increasing public demand and political pressure, we understand that our local government clients are looking for new ways to maintain existing property services and infrastructure and to regenerate key areas of their towns and cities. When we founded our firm over 25 years ago, our business model was created to meet the unique requirements of the public sector estate. This is built around the need for the highest standard of legal support to meet the sector’s high fiduciary duty combined with the need for affordable rates to protect the public purse.

We are a national award-winning law firm employing over 70 senior and experienced lawyers specialising in all aspects of the real estate sector. As a specialist practice we pride ourselves on providing a fresh and entrepreneurial approach to the law, based on commercial experience within the sector and practical, solution-orientated advice.

OUR SERVICES

Regeneration and large scale development projects.

All aspects of Planning, CPO and Highways law including section 106, section 278/38 agreements.

Real estate portfolio management including leases, licences, acquisitions, disposals for your operational and investment assets.

Reports on title whether preparatory to developments and/or disposals.

Contentious real estate, planning and construction issues including planning inquiries, appeals, judicial review and property litigation.

Public procurement law and running an effective procurement process. We have up to date experience of applying the consolidated UK procurement legislation and regularly advise on bid strategies and the effective management of the procurement process.

Public Sector governance, vires and powers.

Sustainability advice including net zero carbon transitioning and green leases.

Social value matters for development projects.

Partnering, collaboration and joint ventures.

Construction law including bespoke construction contracts, professional appointments, and warranties.

Alternative dispute resolution, mediation, proceedings in the Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) and court litigation.

Nationally significant infrastructure projects and Development Consent Order work.

Environmental law issues.

Specific issues relating to the protection and restoration of natural resources including Biodiversity Net Gain and Nutrient neutrality.

Many of our lawyers have worked within local authorities, often in senior positions and we are panel members of a number of key legal frameworks, which makes it easy for you to appoint us.

We are hugely enthusiastic about the Public Sector and the value it brings to our local communities and to the wider economy, and we hope to be able to work with you in the future.

KEY CONTACTS

Madeleine Davitt

Senior Partner

E: madeleine.davitt@djblaw.co.uk

T: 020 3026 8295

Stephen Chalcraft

Partner - Real Estate

E: stephen.chalcraft@djblaw.co.uk

T: 0161 399 8202

Sue McCormick

Client Director - Local Goverment

E: sue.mccormick@djblaw.co.uk

T: 01823 328084

Malcolm Iley

Non-Executive

E: malcolm.iley@djblaw.co.uk

T: 020 7870 7500

HOW WE ADD VALUE

Market leading real estate practice with public sector awareness and senior level experience.

Team has acted for over 100 Local Government clients, ensuring all advice is politically, commercially and operationally sound.

Supporting your advisory and management teams.

Effective client management linking to external audit, governance and oversight requirements.

A specialist ESG group.

Expertise in net carbon zero transitioning, green leases, and the use and opportunities created by new technologies.

An effective approach to risk management with an appropriate sense of humour.

Effective knowledge transfer and training.

RESULTS FOR CLIENTS

Advised on the proposed regeneration of a deprived area into a garden suburb with 1,100 homes and the community infrastructure to support it. Our CPO lawyers successfully dealt with the CPO which was confirmed. Parallel to this our property lawyers delivered the voluntary acquisitions.

marcin-jozwiak-ecFJuOx0WrY-unsplash (2).jpg

Advised on a HIF grant funded road improvement scheme to unlock a development of over 3,000 homes in the locality, including drafting and submitting the necessary CPO to acquire the land for the Scheme, and an associated side roads order and dealt with the subsequent public local inquiry

Advised on the £40million acquisition of an office building which was to become their new town hall.

Successfully advised on a judicial review claim against a decision to build a new special needs school.

Advised in relation to a 36-day public inquiry relating to the expansion of a major airport.

Advised on high-value acquisitions of property for regeneration and investment purposes including offices, retail parks, shopping centres and logistical buildings, and supported them on the subsequent management of the estate.