Local Government
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0870) 194 1000About
Provided by Bevan Brittan LLP
Local government continues to face unprecedented challenges, in uncertain times:
- Austerity cuts are taking their toll and with future funding formula unknown, hard political choices are being made about whether to cease or reduce the provision of services, introduce charges where appropriate, how to raise revenue and/or transform what is on offer.
- Many councils are now reduced to the core, with the focus largely on transformation, taking advantage of technological developments and different ways of providing services, in order to reduce cost and still meet statutory duties.
- As councils are shrinking, many roles at a senior management level have been stripped out, reducing corporate memory, skills and experience available to face the challenges and innovation required for the future.
Our experience is that in this environment councils are seeking to redefine their roles; focus on a growth and prosperity agenda with a stronger sense of place; at the same time seeking to manage demand for services resulting in different delivery models.
An emphasis on thorough legal, financial and technical input into decision making and procedural compliance will be critical in all these aspects.
Chambers Review
Bevan Brittan is an outstanding local government practice with a strong bench of practitioners handling contentious matters, projects to integrate health and social care services, regeneration and housing. The team is also well versed in alternative business structures and outsourcing. It assists local authorities with the formation of joint ventures and advises on the implications of subsidy control, as well as governance and standards issues. The firm demonstrates its prowess in local government matters nationally, with lawyers based across the firm's offices in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds.
Work Highlights
- Bevan Brittan acted for 52 Fire and Rescue authorities across England and Wales as part of the national public sector pension litigation. The outcome of this case could affect more than 10,000 firefighters across all four UK nations.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Bevan Brittan's service and responsiveness has been exemplary."
"Bevan Brittan provided an excellent service and demonstrated strong knowledge and experience of local government issues."
"Bevan Brittan has developed considerable expertise in local government."
"Bevan Brittan's service and responsiveness has been exemplary."
"Bevan Brittan provided an excellent service and demonstrated strong knowledge and experience of local government issues."
"Bevan Brittan has developed considerable expertise in local government."
Notable Practitioners
Bethan Lloyd is a partner in the local government team at Bevan Brittan. She has a broad practice that encompasses advice on matters including public procurement, subsidy control law and competition law.
"Bethan is an absolutely fantastic lawyer who is able to explain complex matters in simple language."
"I was very impressed by Bethan's ability to communicate complex legal considerations in a fast-moving environment."
Philip McCourt is a legal director at Bevan Brittan with a broad local government practice. He is adept at assisting local authorities with constitutions, issues concerning monitoring officers, and overall decision-making.
"Philip McCourt has an exceptional level of specialist knowledge in local government, which he is able to apply in a practical way."
Ranked Lawyers at
Bevan Brittan LLP
UK-wide
Members
Provided by Bevan Brittan LLP
