Need a public sector or local government lawyer? Our specialist legal team is one of the largest and most established in the UK, helping local authorities address budget pressures and identify sustainable ways to fund essential public services.
Our broad experience of working with government, local authorities and investors, and private companies means we are often the interface between public sector organisations and the partners they rely on to supply and deliver services. Faced with dwindling resources and increasing public demand, we help clients find new ways to maintain services and provide new infrastructure. From social care to infrastructure projects, housing, education and daily services like waste collection and disposal – we are their trusted guides with the legal expertise and commercial know how to find solutions.
Public sector clients increasingly ask us to help them steer a course through increasing regulation, and growing scrutiny. As legal experts, we are also perfectly placed to help them generate long-term revenue from their capital assets. Leading strategic reviews and setting objectives, establishing innovative new entities and helping to manage procurement, contracts and implement new ways of delivering services are our core skills.
Our commercial clients have a key role in delivering innovation, skills and investment in public services. We help them by offering the legal and commercial expertise they need to identify and unlock opportunities and win work.
Focused on helping the public sector to take advantage of commercial opportunities and developing opportunities for the private sector to develop effective partnerships, we are politically aware and in tune with life in the public sector. Determined to help our clients deliver – we have decades of experience tackling everyday legal realities and finding solutions for the public sector’s greatest challenges.
A core area of our business - demonstrating our strength and commitment to this sector
True understanding of our clients, as many of our lawyers have worked in senior in-house legal roles in the public sector
More nationally recognised experts than any other UK law firm
Consistent top tier ranking for local government, procurement and public and administrative law and social housing in leading UK legal directories
Uniquely placed at the intersection between public and private – experts at helping the two meet profitably and effectively
Decades of experience at the heart of the public sector
At the forefront of innovation in the sector
Public sector and government
Providing contracts advice, procurement and project delivery for publicly funded broadband projects, IoT and 5G mobile. We help you tackle digital inequalities in both urban and rural areas.
Digital infrastructure advisory servicesLeveraging our extensive experience and in-house expertise to support future-proofing and the creation of efficiencies. We assist by reviewing decision-making processes, advising on new standards and codes of conduct, as well as providing guidance on legal forms, procurement, employment, pensions and more.
Governance and strategyFrom museums to schools and waste infrastructure, our government and public sector lawyers can deliver PPP contracts for major projects and assist with variations and re-negotiations where relevant, offering extensive advice throughout.
ProjectsAssisting with income generation and investments to fund and sustain public sector projects. Delivering support with grant funding regimes, setting up and funding wholly owned housing companies and the creation of joint venture structures.
Public sector investmentDrawing on experience and understanding of procurement law and its intricacies across the public sector. Our government and public sector lawyers advise on and implement procurement processes and find alternative solutions where needed.
Public sector procurementPioneering knowledge in regeneration, backed by decades of experience. Get support throughout the lifetime of a scheme, including liaising with multiple stakeholders and resolving the complexities of large-scale development projects – all with sustainable placemaking in mind.
RegenerationOffering legal input and advice on statutory powers, procurement strategies, contracts for works, shared service arrangements, joint ventures with private and third-sector partners and services.
Service delivery modelsState aid provided by public bodies to businesses is bound by number of strict rules in order to prevent the distortion of competition – we make it easy for you to understand how you can operate within these rules and regulations.
State aid and competitionThe Subsidy Control Act 2022 together with related regulations and guidance, establishes the subsidy control regime which governs financial assistance provided by public bodies (directly or indirectly). Such financial assistance can include grants, loans, equity investment, guarantees and other forms of financial assistance such as undervalue land disposals.
State aid and subsidy control
Our testimonials
"The team are really strong and hugely knowledgeable, and most importantly, they are fantastic humans who really understand the real meaning of acting on behalf of the client's best interests. What makes them unique is the depth of knowledge and experience they draw on across sectors and industries, and their lived experience in formulating policy in the specified areas." – Legal 500, 2024
"Trowers & Hamlins has a stellar public sector offering with considerable experience in development schemes, local authority powers and procurement work." – Chambers & Partners, 2024
Our case studies
Meridian Water is a transformative, 25-year regeneration project spearheaded by Enfield Council. It's set to deliver 10,000 homes and 6,000 jobs in north London, adjacent to the scenic Lee Valley Regional Park. In addition to new homes and vibrant public spaces, the development features a newly established railway station, improving connectivity for commuters. With our assistance, the Council is assuming control as the master developer, overseeing the successful execution of the Meridian Water project.
Read the full case study
"We are delighted to have played a part in advising one of the country's most ambitious regenerations, enabling Enfield to secure the land necessary for such an exciting and beneficial project. Not only will this infrastructure enable a significant boost of high quality housing stock, it will provide much needed investment and opportunities to the Edmonton area and rejuvenate a large area of underused land. "Jacqueline Backhaus
Public sector and government
Knowledge Hub
Trowers & Hamlins has contributed to a new report published by the Future Governance Forum (FGF), which calls on the Chancellor to give mayors greater powers to deliver housing, health and school infrastructure projects across their regions.
Ending well podcast: Episode 1 - The governance of endings and why “ending well” matters