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Public law disputes

Public law disputes expertise across judicial reviews, regulatory decisions, procurement challenges, and statutory obligations, providing tailored solutions for public bodies, businesses and individuals dealing with the public sector.

These need to be handled with proper regard to public sector obligations, risk analysis and policy imperatives.

Our public law disputes team excels in acting swiftly to protect client interests, using sector-specific expertise to navigate intricate cases, particularly in document management, transport and energy-related matters.

We are well-known for strategic thinking and a sensitive approach to resolving disputes in public and administrative law. Our extensive track record in handling high-profile litigation, includes judicial review proceedings, representing both public bodies and businesses or individuals affected by regulatory and policy decisions.

We represent public decision-makers, applicants, respondents, and interested parties in judicial review and public law cases. This provides clear, jargon-free advice on decisions made by central and local government, statutory regulators, and hybrid public decision-making bodies.

Our approach focuses on delivering effective, practical solutions that prioritise client needs and goals. From advising on judicial reviews to assisting with risk analysis of regulatory decisions, we ensure comprehensive support and guidance for all public law matters.

Services

Judicial review

Advising on claims, representing clients in court, and challenging or defending decisions made by public authorities or regulators.

Planning

Handling planning-related disputes and judicial reviews, offering strategic advice on public law challenges to planning decisions.

Procurement

Providing legal guidance on procurement processes, including public law challenges to procurement decisions and procedures.

Subsidy control

Advising on compliance with UK subsidy control laws and challenging subsidy decisions through public law mechanisms.

Public contracts

Representing public sector and private sector clients in disputes involving the delivery of contracts involving the public sector.

Statutory powers and obligations

Advising on exercise of statutory powers and compliance with legal obligations by public authorities and bodies.

EU law compliance

Advising on application of retained EU law in the UK post-EU Exit.

Competition

Providing guidance on competition law matters, including public law challenges to regulatory decisions and market practices.

Examples of our work

UK government departments

Acting in support of the Government Legal Department for UK government departments in relation to Judicial Reviews brought by campaigning and other public interest organisations associated with Covid.

UK government department

Acting for a UK government department on a high-pressure issue of loss of confidentiality in a public procurement bidding process.

Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC)

Acting for the Department for Health and Social Care in relation to contractual claims against suppliers of faulty healthcare equipment.

Covid inquiry

Providing the solicitor team to the inquiry across all modules, including the role of lead module solicitor and managing complex legal challenges and procedural issues.

Public law proceedings

Acting across government in relation to evidence collation, drafting and review in support of live public law proceedings involving a large structured disclosure exercise.

FirstGroup plc

Acting in a judicial review of the Department for Transport’s decision to award the West Coast Rail Franchise, involving complex transport sector regulations and commercial concerns.

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What others say

“Burges Salmon is a large firm experienced in handling public law challenges brought by corporate clients against regulators such as the HSE and the EA.”

Legal 500 UK 2025

“A friendly and experienced team who are great to work with. They have a roster of interesting and high-profile public-sector clients. ”

Legal 500 UK 2025

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Insights

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