London borough partners with law firm on contracts and commercial work

Enfield Council has appointed law firm Browne Jacobson as a new ‘co source’ partner within its Contracts and Commercial team.

The London borough said that under the arrangement it would work with Browne Jacobson “to review how legal advice can be tailored to meet the council’s requirements with the many exciting projects it is working on”.

Enfield said the arrangement would cover the Contract and Commercial arm of the council’s legal services that previously would have been sourced through external providers. Browne Jacobson will work with council lawyers on those areas of advice that continue to be delivered directly.

Cllr Andrew Stafford, Enfield’s Cabinet Member for Finance and Efficiency, said: “Local government budgets have been squeezed more than ever before, and it is vitally important we get the best possible legal advice.

“This deal will expand the expert knowledge base available to the council and increase our ability to react quickly and appropriately to a wide range of challenges.

“By bringing on board a renowned company such as Browne Jacobson, Enfield Council’s legal services will be able to not only save money, which is incredibly important, but deliver the highest standards to tight deadlines.”

Craig Elder, partner in the public sector team at Browne Jacobson, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to help transform the delivery of legal services by Enfield Council. By delivering speedier and more focussed services to clients the council will be able to deploy its resources much more effectively and reduce costs whilst maintaining and enhancing quality.”