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.

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

T: 020 3026 8295

Email me

Stephen Chalcraft

Partner - Real Estate

T: 0161 399 8202

Email me

Stephanie Hall

Partner - Planning

T: 01613 990127

Email me

Malcolm Iley

Consultant -

Public Law

T: 020 7870 7500

Email me

Full core team

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 dispoals.
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.

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.
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.
Dealt with the highways agreements to facilitate the expansion of a film studio, which will make it the second largest film studio in the world.
Simultaneously drafted, negotiated and completed numerous section 106 agreements for a city-wide development scheme.
Advised arms-length housing, development and investment companies on numerous transactions.
Advised on their biodiversity net gain responsibilities.

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.