With in-depth knowledge of local government law, we offer practical advice across a broad range of matters. We help local authorities navigate relevant legal and policy requirements, so you can make effective decisions and best support the communities you serve.
Local authorities are facing an increasing number of pressures. The delivery of essential services must be managed alongside the challenges of regulatory compliance, financial constraints and public scrutiny. Our dedicated local authorities team provides expert guidance so you can move forward with confidence, whatever your legal questions.
Our lawyers are drawn from skilled teams across the firm, many with senior in-house local government experience. We couple specialist knowledge with private sector expertise, working with you and your partners to bring a commercial focus to projects and activities – while ensuring your obligations and priorities remain at the forefront.
We offer wide-ranging, seamless and cost-sensitive support on everything from planning and affordable housing through to commercial property advice, bespoke property arrangements, employment matters and beyond.
We're always mindful that local authority decisions are subject to scrutiny. We can help you minimise the risk of costly legal challenges, but should this occur, our dispute resolution lawyers will protect your interests and defend your decisions.
Comprehensive legal advice for local authorities
Our experienced team is ready to assist you across the full spectrum of legal issues affecting you as a local authority.
This includes our key areas of expertise below.
Affordable housing development
With ambitious targets, affordable housing continues to be critical. Our specialist lawyers work collaboratively with registered providers of all sizes, from large national providers to smaller rural schemes, helping you deliver schemes to tight timescales.
- With over 25 years' experience, we are a true authority in the sector
- Bespoke service, with practical and innovative legal solutions that maximise your commercial opportunities
- Clear advice on all aspects of affordable housing – from site acquisition and planning through to commercial leases, housing management, grant funding and more
- Social housing and housing management
Our social housing team has worked with several local councils in the South West, assisting them in acquiring affordable housing – including “turnkey” acquisitions from developers and via option and land assembly agreements where the councils have developed housing themselves.
Commercial property and bespoke property
The diverse nature of land interests that local authorities hold means they require an equally wide spectrum of property advice and solutions. Our property lawyers regularly assist clients on these matters, with detailed advice on:
- Commercial landlord and tenant matters, both non-contentious and contentious
- Enforcement of covenants, adverse possession, rights of way and boundary disputes
- Land transfers between the local authority and the parish council, advising on all aspects of the transactions
- Asset transfer policies between councils
We also offer bespoke guidance – for example, we have helped our clients with the provision of an electric bike facility and charging hub in a city centre, beach hut agreements and disputes and reconstitution of titles for land with lost deeds.
Planning and environment
We understand the internal and external pressures you face as a local authority. Our skilled team offers pragmatic and timely advice, so you can make workable decisions and minimise delays on projects delivering social, economic and environmental benefits.
- Guidance on all aspects of planning, highways and environmental law for local authorities, including enforcement, appeals and compulsory purchase
- Compliance with evolving legislation and policy, including balancing environmental issues with development needs, covering requirements such as biodiversity net gain and nutrient neutrality
- Managing local authority-led development, including by local authority delivery companies
- Practical options to manage the risks of legal challenges and provide better services for your communities, including help with internal governance and stakeholder management
- Capacity relief on planning and infrastructure agreements for schemes of all sizes
Our planning team works for a number of large unitary authorities and smaller, specialist authorities in the South West and is experienced in working alongside in-house lawyers and multidisciplinary project teams.
Employment law advice for local
As a local authority with a large and varied workforce, you may encounter a number of unique and complex employment law issues. Our employment experts provide legal support tailored to your specific needs.
- Straightforward advice on all your employment issues – from the day-to-day to more complex matters, such as redundancy, restructuring and TUPE
- Guidance on the detail of the law relating specifically to local authorities, translating this into real-world answers to your questions
- Transparent costs, including our fixed fee service, EASY
Seamless support from our cross-departmental team
Our lawyers are drawn from nationally recognised teams across the firm, offering joined-up advice on a broad range of legal issues for local authorities.
We combine expertise in key areas with an in-depth knowledge of local government law, plus insight from those team members with local government backgrounds. We recognise the challenges you face as a local authority, building strong relationships with our clients to act as an extension of your in-house teams.
Our experienced lawyers can also provide training and updates to equip your team with the necessary skills in key areas.
Our local authorities work
- Representing several local authorities on planning and infrastructure agreements to help unlock sites for development
- All-round legal service provider for a specialist authority created under powers in the Environment Act
- Working for a number of town and parish councils on a wide range of property portfolio management matters, including disposals and acquisitions
Find out more
To learn more about our legal services for local authorities, please contact us to speak to one of our experienced lawyers. Alternatively, you can complete our contact form to request a call back.