SharpeEdge Archive
Local Government Reorganisation: Is now the time to rethink your corporate structures?
August 20, 2026
Peter Collins lays out the potential benefits of using local government reorganisation to improve structures within local authorities. Local Government Reorganisation is often viewed as a process of transition. It can also be an opportunity. As councils review their wider…
Local Government Reorganisation: Who will hold the shareholder role after vesting day?
August 20, 2026
Peter Collins analyses where the shareholder power lies after a new authority is created. One question often receives less attention than it deserves during Local Government Reorganisation. Once the new authority comes into existence, who will actually exercise shareholder…
Local Government Reorganisation: The liabilities councils can't afford to overlook
August 20, 2026
Peter Collins warns local authorities not to ignore what sits within each company when planning before vesting day. Corporate structures can sometimes create the impression that assets, contracts and liabilities sit at arm's length from the council itself. In reality,…
Local Government Reorganisation: Is your governance framework ready for vesting day?
August 20, 2026
Peter Collins examines the importance of early planning in preparation for local authorities while tackling the challenges of changing over to a new authority. When councils think about Local Government Reorganisation, governance is often viewed through the lens of the new…
Local Government Reorganisation: Why councils should start with their corporate structures
August 20, 2026
Peter Collins discusses the lesser-considered elements of local government reorganisation. When local government reorganisation is discussed, the conversation naturally gravitates towards the big-ticket issues. Governance Staffing Service delivery Property portfolios…
Subsidy Control, 3.5 years on: BIST commit to evolution, not reform
August 19, 2026
Oliver Slater, Beatrice Wood and Aakash Vadher break down what the CMA's first periodic monitoring report means for public authorities and businesses, including what we can expect as the regime continues to bed in and develop. The CMA published its first periodic monitoring…
High Court Orders Government to Pay Costs Following Free Speech Union Judicial Review
August 04, 2026
George McLellan and Olly Dickie share an update on Sharpe Pritchard's successful representation of the Free Speech Union, with the court ordering the Education Secretary to pay the costs of a judicial review.
Beyond Potholes: What Does a Modern Highways Maintenance Contract Need to Achieve?
August 04, 2026
Jane Crees sets out what local authorities need to know when it comes to their highways maintenance contracts. We have been thinking a lot recently about what local authorities need from their highways maintenance contracts, particularly after working with several authorities on…
Court of Appeal Dismisses Westminster’s Appeal in Section 106 Affordable Housing Case
August 04, 2026
Rebecca Stewart and Rachel Lee explain what you need to know about mortgagee exclusion clauses in section 106 agreements, in light of a recent Court of Appeal decision. The Court of Appeal has dismissed Westminster City Council’s appeal in Westminster City Council v GEMS House…
Local Government Reorganisation: 5 Questions Before Vesting Day
July 28, 2026
Council-owned companies, joint ventures and corporate vehicles can be easy to overlook during local government reorganisation. From wholly owned subsidiaries to housing companies and regeneration LLPs, councils should identify key legal and governance risks before vesting day to…
Judicial review of Local Government Reorganisation
July 22, 2026
As the government pushes ahead with the biggest overhaul of local government in a generation, a growing list of councils, including Essex, Norfolk, Hampshire and Suffolk, are testing whether the courts will intervene. Our experts, Simon Kiely, Olivia Peake and Oliver Dickie go…
NEC Annual Conference 2026: Practical Reflections
July 17, 2026
Rachel Murray-Smith, Jane Crees and Helen Batter share the details of the NEC Annual Conference 2026. The NEC Annual Conference 2026, themed “Scaling Excellence in a New Age of Delivery”, brought together public sector clients, project leaders and industry specialists to discuss…
Managing Waste Services Through Local Government Reorganisation
July 17, 2026
Sharpe Pritchard provide a pre-recorded webinar exploring the impact of Local Government Reorganisation on waste services.
The ERA – Discrimination Webinar
July 17, 2026
Julie Bann and Christian Grierson host a pre-recorded webinar on reforms relating to discrimination and workplace equality.
Subsidy Control Case Law Update: Durham (Again), Ofgem, and What Might the Court of Appeal Make of it All?
June 24, 2026
Oliver Slater and Beatrice Wood look at the lessons from the latest Subsidy Control case law.
Commercial Payments Bill: Implications for Public Authorities and Contractors
June 18, 2026
Juli Lau, Helen Arthur and Shyann Sheehy look into the new Commercial Payments Bill and what it means for both public authorities and larger contractors.
Construction Defects Claims: 5 Top Tips for Employers
June 18, 2026
Aanya Gujral and David Owens set out five top tips on how best employers can protect their interests when it comes to construction defects.
A Modern Jarndyce v Jarndyce: Privy Council Endorses Robust Approach to “Inordinate” Appellate Delay (Baird v Goldgar and others [2026] UKPC 23)
June 18, 2026
Olivia Peake and Simon Kiely examine the Privy Council’s decision in Baird v Goldgar, which clarifies the distinct tests for striking out an appeal for want of prosecution and abuse of process in the Eastern Caribbean, and reinforces judicial willingness to act robustly where…
Drawing the Line: Handling Serious Misconduct Cases and Statutory Referrals in Education Webinar
June 10, 2026
A webinar organised in collaboration with Galina Ward KC of Landmark Chambers, for senior leadership and HR professionals in schools and colleges.
Building Liability Orders (BLOs) – Crest Nicholson v Ardmore
June 04, 2026
In this article, Rachel Murray-Smith, Conrad Turnock and Helen Arthur explain the significance of Crest Nicholson v Ardmore [2026] EWHC 789 (TCC); [2026] EWHC 1069 (TCC), one of the first major decisions to consider the scope of building liability orders under the Building…
Procuring Light Touch Frameworks Under the Procurement Act 2023: FAQs for Commissioners and Procurement Teams.
In this article, Cat Bogoje and Lorraine Spurling take a look at some of the common questions we are asked about procuring frameworks for…
Judicial review of sports governing bodies
George McLellan, Jack Trevella and Oliver Dickie consider whether sports governing bodies should be amenable to judicial review.
AI use and the hidden risk to legal privilege
Chloe McQuillan explores how the everyday use of generative AI tools can create an unexpected and serious risk of waiving legal…
Managing and modifying light touch frameworks under the Procurement Act 2023
Cat Bogoje and Lorraine Spurling take a look at some of the common questions we are asked about managing and modifying frameworks for light…
Analysis of the “process claim” in The New Lottery Company Limited v The Gambling Commission and Allwyn
Natasha Barlow and Nicola Sumner consider the recent judgment which included claims in relation to the conduct of the procurement process…
Local Government Reorganisation: a practical update to Section 24 controls
Gemma Duncan provides an update on potential changes to how s24 directions will operate, tackling a long-standing issue around historic…
The ERA – union and enforcement changes webinar
Julie Bann and David Leach host a pre-recorded webinar on the forthcoming changes to trade union law.
How Sharpe Pritchard Can Help with a Mid-Term PFI Contract Review
Tim Farr talks through the process of a Mid-Term PFI Contract Review and how Sharpe Pritchard can help.
King’s Speech: Clean Water Bill to Shake up Water Industry
Maggie Burns and Allan Owen explain the impact of the Government’s proposed Clean Water Bill.
Living Through Local Government Reorganisation
What it feels like when the map changes, the organisation chart redraws, and you still have to answer the phone.
King’s Speech 2026 – Sharpe Pritchard’s Take
Sharpe Pritchard talks through the Kings' Speech, diving into the legislative plans for the year ahead.
Why Councils Are Adopting the Leisure “Agency Model” to Unlock VAT Efficiencies
Tim Farr explains the move from councils towards the agency model in a bid to tackle rising costs and tighter budgets.
Local Elections 2026: What the Results Mean for Councils – and How Sharpe Pritchard Can Help
The local elections this week have delivered a striking set of results: significant churn in council leadership, a clear trend towards…
First Procurement Act 2023 Judgment: What it Means for Authorities and Suppliers
Juli Lau and Melodi Mangan analyse the first court judgment under the Procurement Act 2023 and what it means for Authorities and Suppliers.
Generative AI in complaints and requests: Opportunities, risks and implications for public bodies
George McLellan, Fred Groves & Christopher Watkins discuss the impact of generative AI on the public's interactions with public bodies.
Sharpe Pritchard Launches ‘Renew’ to Connect Regulatory Insight With Private Capital Driving Net Zero
Sharpe Pritchard has launched Sharpe Pritchard Renew, a dedicated energy and renewables legal offering designed to support the deployment…
The meaning and application of “freedom of speech” within the law
George McLellan and Olivia Dawson represented the Free Speech Union in intervening to present written submissions to the Court concerning…
High Court rules on the service of local authority decision notices by email
The High Court has confirmed that email service of statutory notices and decisions by local authorities is valid and effective on delivery,…
Post award modifications: Analysis of the “Modifications Claim” in TNLC v The Gambling Commission [2026] EWHC 891 (TCC)
Nicola Sumner and Beatrice Wood consider the recent judgment which included claims in relation to the conduct of the procurement process…
Separation of Powers in Wales: Is there a duty to consult before introducing a Bill into the Senedd Cymru?
Oliver Dickie and Olivia Peake consider the judgment in R (The Greyhound Board of Great Britain Limited) v The Welsh Ministers [2026] EWHC…
Companies House Reform: Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023
Companies House has already seen some significant changes to its powers and to the way it operates, and there are further changes ahead.…
Permission for Take Off: £205m Cardiff Airport Subsidy Authorised by the CAT
This week saw the Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) hand down judgment in the case of Bristol Airport Limited v Welsh Ministers [2026]…
New Regulations for the Use of AI in Court Documents?
Fred Groves and Christopher Watkins provide insight into growing judicial concern about accuracy, professional responsibility and the…
CILEX and others v Mazur and others [2026] EWCA Civ 369
The Dispute Resolution team reacts to the landmark Court of Appeal judgment in CILEX and others v Mazur and others [2026] EWCA Civ 369.
The ERA – Benefits and Working Conditions
Catrin Mills and David Leach provide an overview of the key changes within the Employment Rights Act to workplace benefits and working…
£150m Clean Maritime Grant Competition Opens – Critical Subsidy Control Steps for Applicants
Beatrice Wood and Oliver Slater discuss the second round of “Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure 2 (ZEVI 2): Energy Efficiency”,…
Failure by Employers to Keep Holiday Records Becomes a Criminal Offence From April 2026
Julie Bann, Catrin Mills, David Leach and Christian Grierson talk through the upcoming changes to employment law.
Why I Wanted to Explore Intensity of Review Across the UK and New Zealand
Jack Trevella shares his experience of the difference in UK vs New Zealand courts on the doctrine of reasonableness.
The Local Power Plan: Putting Clean Power in Communities’ Hands
Great British Energy and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero have unveiled the Local Power Plan — up to £1 billion in funding…
Anti-Money Laundering: Key Issues for Local Government Legal and Governance Teams
Money laundering risk is often seen as a problem for banks, lawyers and accountants. But local authorities are far from immune. In a recent…
Arts and Culture, Community and Regeneration: The Two New Streamlined Subsidy Routes
Beatrice Wood and Sophie Read explore the two new Streamlined Routes, officially introduced in February this year, to simplify the awards…
Reserve below-threshold contracts for UK or local suppliers under the 2026 Order
Juli Lau and Shyann Sheehy look into the impact of the Local Government (Exclusion of Non-commercial Considerations) (England) Order 2026,…
CMO Principle and Financial Assistance Further Clarified in Latest CAT Judgment on Subsidy Control
Beatrice Wood and Oliver Dickie explore the key implications for public authorities following the latest CAT judgment on subsidy control…
Make Europe Build Again – The EU Industrial Accelerator Act
Kamran Zaheer provides an insight into the anticipated “Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA)" and whether it will result in a “Made in Europe”…
2026 in construction: a look ahead
Michael Comba and Rachel Murray-Smith provide a summary of the key points of interest in the upcoming year in the construction sector,…
Heat Network Zoning: What the Government’s 2026 Response Means for Local Authorities
Tom Knox analyses the government's reply to the consultation on heat network zoning and shares the main takeaways for the impact it will…
A National Security Assessment: Biodiversity Loss and Ecosystem Collapse – Implications for Infrastructure and Energy
Bridget Newman talks readers through the recent National Security Assessment on Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse and National…
Another bite at the cherry? New application issued in the CAT challenges subsidies proposed by Durham County Council
Beatrice Wood and Shyann Sheehy provide an insight into a new challenge in the Competition Appeal Tribunal to proposed subsidies to be put…
G-Cloud 14 to G-Cloud 15 – What is changing?
James Berry talks through the change from G-Cloud 14 to 15 - what does it mean for the CCS, and what does it mean for suppliers?
Providence v Hexagon – Supreme Court overrules Court of Appeal on JCT termination provisions
Helen Arthur and David Owens look at the lessons from a landmark Supreme Court ruling on JCT termination.
Heat network regulation goes live on 27 January 2026 – Are you complying?
Steve Gummer walks those regulated by the new Heat Network regime through the new rules, and what they mean for suppliers and operators.
Do we have a right to a jury trial in the UK?
Chloe McQuillan and Olivia Peake discuss the proposed reforms to the jury system and the viewpoint of the opposing voices.
White Paper or White Flag? And the Big Red Lines
Steve Gummer shares his insight into what Defra's new 'New Vision for Water' and the test for deliverability actually mean for the water…
Data Centres Enter the NSIP Regime
James Goldthorpe and Emyr Thomas explain the UK government facilitating data centre developments through the NSIP regime and how…
Scope of Judicial Review in a Contractual Context
Olivia Dawson and Olivia Peake provide an update on recent case law and how it reflects on the scope of judicial review in a contractual…
Local authority leisure services: The agency model
James Berry explains the tax context, the practical implications and key issues to address when implementing or modifying arrangements.
The Employment Rights Act 2025 – Breakdown of Key Dates
Julie Bann, David Leach, Christian Grierson and Madina Sakhi guide readers through the new Employment Rights Act 2025.
Providence Building Services Limited v Hexagon Housing Association Limited – The case for a stay
Peter Jansen analyses a recent Court of Appeal decision to overturn a Technology and Construction Court ruling concerning the validity of…
Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England
James Berry offers his insight into how the proposed changes to standards and conduct rules will affect local authorities.
Procuring and operating open frameworks under the Procurement Act 2023
Chantelle Pink offers advice to authorities on open frameworks and how to procure them.
Building Solar – 5 Top Tips for Solar Farm Construction Contracts
Solar farm construction contracts are in focus following fascinating insights into the continuing global uptake and expansion of…
The ‘Hillsborough Bill’ – Voices for victims or just more lip service?
Jonathan Blunden, Alastair Lewis and Conrad Turnock talk through the recently introduced 'Hillsborough' Bill, aimed at giving victims of…
Twelve New Towns for the Future
James Goldthorpe and Conrad Turnock summarise the New Towns Taskforce’s report to Government, published on 28th September, and ask - what…
Key updates to the Administrative Court Guide
Chloe McQuillan and Jonathan Blunden dive into recent amendments to the Administrative Court Judicial Review Guide, exploring what they…
Algorithm and State: Automated decision-making in the UK Public Sector
Beatrice Wood explores the impact of Automated Decision making on the UK government and local authority sector.
The Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce Interim Report
Bridget Newman discusses the report published by the Nuclear Regulatory Taskforce on the UK’s nuclear regulatory framework.
Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill (“the Bill”)
The team at Sharpe Pritchard provides readers with an overview of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.
High Court backs Newham’s Compulsory Purchase of Final Flat in Redevelopment Scheme
Francesca Gallagher and Rachel Hey discuss the recent High Court judgment upholding the Compulsory Purchase Order of a London council.
A New Chapter for UK Sustainability Reporting: Government Consultations Open
On 25 June 2025, the UK Government launched three major consultations aimed at strengthening sustainability reporting and climate…
REMA Update: New direction for electricity market reform
Bridget Newman provides insight into the future of the electricity market under the influence of the Review of Electricity Market…
Ofgem’s energy system cost allocation and recovery review – Proposed reforms and impact assessment
Kamran Zaheer brings readers up to date with the latest proposed reforms to the sharing out of Britain's energy costs.
Powering the future: Legal insight on driving demand for hydrogen in the UK
Meghan Vaillancourt analyses the law surrounding the future of hydrogen fuel in the UK after report from the leading trade association.
Commercial market operator principle clarified in CAT ruling on subsidy control challenge
Jonathan Blunden, Oliver Slater and Oliver Dickie analyse a recent Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) judgment rejecting a challenge to two…
Government issues response to the UK ETS expansion to waste
Natasha Barlow provides insight into the Government's response to the UK Emissions Trading Scheme consultation.
Some thoughts for a government implementing Cunliffe
Steve Gummer provides an in depth explanation of the impact that the Cunliffe Report will have, and shares how the report is not quite what…
Abolition of GB electricity zonal Pricing – Welcome certainty for developers and investors
Nimoy Kher explains the ins and outs of zonal pricing on electricity around the country.
Beyond the headlines: The Cunliffe Report’s quiet revolution in UK water regulation
Sharpe Pritchard provide insight into the Cunliffe Report, exploring the impact that the proposed changes would have on the water sector.
Cunliffe in-depth: What the Cunliffe Report means and what comes next
Steve Gummer and Allan Owen delve into the recently published Cunliffe Report, and explain what it means for the water sector.
Onshore wind opportunities for local authorities in 2025
Tom Knox explains net-zero options opening up for local authorities from new government strategies and planning reform.
The CAT’s approach to Subsidy Decision Reviews: Fast, cheap and simple?
Olivia Dawson and Oliver Slater consider the Subsidy Control Act’s subsidy challenge regime, the Competition Appeal Tribunal’s (the…
|
Click here to view our archived articles or search below.
|
|
ABOUT SHARPE PRITCHARD
We are a national firm of public law specialists, serving local authorities, other public sector organisations and registered social landlords, as well as commercial clients and the third sector. Our team advises on a wide range of public law matters, spanning electoral law, procurement, construction, infrastructure, data protection and information law, planning and dispute resolution, to name a few key specialisms. All public sector organisations have a route to instruct us through the various frameworks we are appointed to. To find out more about our services, please click here.
|
|
OUR NEXT EVENT
|
|
OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS
|
|
OUR KEY LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTACTS
|
||
|
Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
|
Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
|
Rachel Murray-Smith Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
|
|
||
|
Jo Pickering Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
|
|
||
|
Emyr Thomas Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
|
|
||
|
Gemma Duncan Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
|
|
||
|
Simon Kiely Partner 020 7406 4600 Find out more |
||
Catherine Newman
