Government spending cuts may have impacted on public sector legal work, but a number of Bristol firms have performed well in the tough market conditions.
In education, Veale Wasbrough Vizards is a ‘leading light’, according to the Legal 500, and has acted on many high-profile academy conversions and school mergers. Clients include Rugby School, Roedean, and Bristol Grammar School. Practice head Barney Northover is recommended, as are Simon Bevan for educational employment and Yvonne Spencer and John Deakin for pastoral matters.
Maintaining a ‘high service level’, Martin Howe’s team at Bevan Brittan has a notable niche in BSF projects. It acted for Sandwell MBC in seeking a judicial review of BSF cancellation. The practice also acts on many school conversions.
Bettina Rigg’s team at Bond Pearce acts for many higher education institutions, such as advising Southampton Solent University on real estate, employment and student disciplinary issues. Other clients include the University of Portsmouth and Cornwall College.
At Burges Salmon, Roger Bull’s group provides wide-ranging advice to clients including the University of Bristol, Imperial College London, and Bath Spa University.
In the health sector, Legal 500 reports that Beachcroft’s practice is ‘excellent’ and a ‘first stop’ for clients. Nigel Montgomery heads the team, which acted for Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust on its acquisition of Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust. Other clients include Alliance Medical Limited, Bupa, and Guys and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Katy Horner and Malcolm Austwick are also recommended.
Bevan Brittan’s ‘superb, professional and responsive’ team is headed by Stephen Hughes, and acted for North Bristol NHS Trust on the £430m redevelopment of Southmead Hospital. As part of the Transforming Community Services agenda, it has advised PCTs, NHS trusts and NHS foundation trusts on 27 schemes across the country. Joanna Lloyd provides the ‘best possible’ support.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ ‘client-centred’ approach is popular. The firm represents many health sector clients, particularly regarding social work and partnership agreements in general practices. Clients appreciate Ben Willis and Rebecca Beardsley’s ‘great knowledge, built up over many years’.
Pierce Glynn Solicitors’ Adam Hundt has ‘great judgement and expertise’ in health matters, and ‘battles hard’ for clients. Specialisms include representing healthcare professionals against health authorities, and claimants in public interest litigation.
In the local government market, Bevan Brittan’s team is headed by the ‘outstanding’ Bethan Evans, and has an enviable reputation. Areas of expertise include shared services, outsourcing, asset rationalisation, employment, and probity and standards. Clients include Bristol City Council, Plymouth City Council, Cornwall Council and Stroud District Council. Peter Keith-Lucas is ‘highly admired’.
Giles Taylor heads the team at Beachcroft, which also includes Tom Baker. The group advised Somerset County Council on the procurement of a leisure facility, and advises key client Dorset County Council on procurement, contracts and litigation.
Bond Pearce has been assisting Reading Borough Council on the redevelopment of Chatham Street, and advised new client Greenwich LBC on a £35m district heating project. Richard Guyatt and practice head Jonathan Bower are recommended.
Ben Pariser’s team at Clarke Willmott advised the South West of England RDA on the 55-acre Bristol and Bath Science Park regeneration scheme, and Stroud District Council on the Brimscombe Port regeneration project. Other clients include London and Kent Boroughs Consortium. Stephen Rosser is highly recommended.
Burges Salmon’s cross-departmental group provides an ‘excellent, tailor-made’ service, with expertise in planning, commercial property, procurement and contracts. Gary Soloman is ‘knowledgeable and experienced’.
Pinsent Masons acted for Bournemouth BC on its LABV for the phased delivery of regeneration across 16 sites in Bournemouth town centre. Other clients include Bath and North East Somerset Council. Mark Collingwood† heads the team.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ Simon Baker ‘exudes professionalism and expertise’, and heads a team that is ‘acute, well-grounded and committed to the client’. It is now on the panel of six Oxfordshire local authorities.
Pierce Glynn Solicitors’ Adam Hundt has a notable practice representing claimants in public authority litigation.
