Public law

We have a long-standing reputation for excellence in handling high profile public law challenges including complex judicial reviews and sensitive statutory appeals. We’re known for our ability to lead our clients through complex cases, with broader public interest aspects and therefore wider application. We have growing expertise in public inquiries and investigations.

We draw on this broad experience, combining our specialist legal knowledge to offer expert advice and guidance, resolve disputes and, when legal action is necessary or unavoidable, take appropriate, robust and proportionate measures on your behalf.

We regularly provide advice and undertake drafting in relation to legal structures, powers, duties, policy, schemes and guidance.

Our public law clients include individuals as well as public bodies, charities and organisations operating in regulated sectors and industries.

In our contentious public law practice we’ve acted in a wide range of cases for defendants, claimants, interested parties and intervenors, as well as appellants and respondents. We know that dealing with legal challenges against decisions, whether bringing, defending or intervening in the proceedings, can be complex and the results can have serious impacts.  

We recognise that many of the cases we handle have wider public interest implications and must be considered and managed within this context. While recognising this broader perspective, we assess the best options for you and rapidly get to the heart of the issue, to provide focused, pragmatic advice. 

In our non-contentious public law practice we advise public bodies on revisions to primary and secondary legislation. We advise those established under legislation, and those which operate within a statutory or regulated environment (both individuals and corporate bodies) on the lawful exercise of powers and duties. We regularly draft and amend rules, regulations, schemes and procedures and are adept at undertaking and preparing independent reports on issues of public law and governance.

We have a strong track record of delivering the results that you need.

We can help you with:

• judicial review (bringing, defending and intervening in claims)
• statutory appeals (appellant and/or defendant)
• public inquiries and investigations
• non-contention advice, drafting and amending Royal Charters, Bye-Laws, legislation, regulations, rules, standing orders, schemes, policy and guidance.
• Equality and Human rights 
• public procurement
• state aid and subsidy control issues
• sanctions compliance
• consultation processes
• conducting independent reviews and preparing reports on issues of public law and governance
• advice on the effect and applicability of European Law following Brexit
• Data Protection and Freedom of Information rights
• sustainable decision making systems

At Russell-Cooke we can also access the wealth of expertise from across our full service firm.

Our team members are experts in their field who are approachable and work collaboratively with you to ensure the best possible results.

We’re regarded as “trusted advisors” and “critical friends” by many of our public law clients, who are able to benefit from the breadth and depth of our experience, while knowing that we really understand the nuances of their sector/industry, and have taken the time to fully appreciate their specific aims and objectives.

Industry expertise

Our public law lawyers have broad ranging and diverse sector expertise including:

• legal services
• financial services
• health & Social Care
• charities
• sport
• housing
• planning, property and infrastructure
• environment
• immigration
• education
• policing and crime

Our team members are frequently asked to provide comment and opinion on matters of administrative and public law for mainstream media and legal publications.

John Gould is the author of The Law of Legal Services and Practice, published by LexisNexis and Michael Stacey is a contributing author.

Here are some comments made about us.

Charges are usually based on our hourly rates plus administrative charges and disbursements. We’ll provide an initial estimate of your likely legal costs and will update this if your requirements or the circumstances of the work change.

We also have a flexible and innovative approach to litigation funding which enables us to offer you, in appropriate cases, a series of funding choices tailored to your particular requirements. We’re prepared to consider alternative forms of funding in appropriate cases.

If you instruct us on a volume of work and/or can offer us a fixed term contract we may be able to offer discounted hourly rates.

We’d be pleased to discuss your initial requirements free of charge.