With an already established tradition of acting for many public sector clients, in particular amongst local authorities and within the health care sector, 2006 saw the formal launch of Birketts’ Public Sector Team.  This group of specialists is dedicated to understanding the needs of Public Sector clients and is able to provide comprehensive advice informed by an understanding of this market.

The team is made up of some highly experienced and long established solicitors within the practice.  In addition, during 2005, we made a significant number of strategic appointments from national or large regional practices. These moves have enabled Birketts to benefit from the considerable combined experience of its new colleagues, some of whom you may have instructed in their former roles. We are, for instance, delighted to be joined by Nicholas Hancox, former Director of Legal Services at Norfolk County Council. Other key appointments include construction project lawyer and former engineer, Andrew Rush and Peter Goddard who leads our Social Housing Team.  Several of our team, such as Frances Berridge, John Gynn and Carol Ramsden, are former local authority advisers. They provide a valuable insight into the needs of public sector clients from their considerable first hand experience and they understand the pressures and challenges facing local authorities.

Birketts’ Public Sector team offers expertise in commercial property, planning, highways, rights of way, compulsory purchase, procurement, commercial contracts, data protection and freedom of information, education, social housing, property litigation, ASBOs, human rights, regulatory crime, civil litigation, public law, judicial review and local government law. Project based work covers construction, redevelopment and regeneration and PFI.