SharpeEdge

Welcome to Sharpe Edge, Sharpe Pritchard’s local government legal hub on Local Government Lawyer.

Sharpe Edge features news, views and analysis from our team of specialist local government lawyers, working at the heart of the latest legal developments.

Operating at the forefront of local government law, our team is well-placed to cut through the complexities to equip you with the key points you need to know.

We trust you’ll find this an invaluable resource to aide your practice and interact with our team of experts. If you have any questions or queries, or would like to instruct, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

OUR RECENT ARTICLES

Reforms to the NSIP Regime (and Beyond…)

Aug 21, 2026

James Goldthorpe, Emyr Thomas and Alastair Lewis set out where the government’s Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (“NSIPs”) reforms have reached, the implications of the changes made to date and how the latest consultation “beyond NSIPS” could allow the government to build on the…

Local Government Reorganisation: Governance frameworks

Aug 20, 2026

Is your governance framework ready for vesting day? Peter Collins examines the importance of early planning. When councils think about Local Government Reorganisation, governance is often viewed through the lens of the new authority. Constitutions are reviewed, committee structures are designed and…

Local Government Reorganisation and corporate structures

Aug 20, 2026

In the first in a five-part series on local government reorganisation, Peter Collins explains why councils should start with their corporate structures. When local government reorganisation is discussed, the conversation naturally gravitates towards the big-ticket issues. Governance Staffing…

High Court Orders Government to Pay Costs Following Free Speech Union Judicial Review

Aug 04, 2026

George McLellan and Olly Dickie share an update on Sharpe Pritchard's successful representation of the Free Speech Union, with the court ordering the Education Secretary to pay the costs of a judicial review.

Case Update: Section 106 Mortgagee Exclusion Clauses: What Developers & LPAs Need to Know

Aug 04, 2026

Rebecca Stewart considers the implications of the Court of Appeal's recent decision to dismiss Westminster City Council’s appeal in a dispute over whether a purchaser was bound to provide flats at affordable events. The case concerned 16 flats which had been secured as affordable housing under a…

Beyond Potholes: What Does a Modern Highways Maintenance Contract Need to Achieve?

Aug 04, 2026

Jane Crees sets out what local authorities need to know when it comes to their highways maintenance contracts. We have been thinking a lot recently about what local authorities need from their highways maintenance contracts, particularly after working with several authorities on the procurement of…

Click here for our archived articles

ABOUT SHARPE PRITCHARD

We are a national firm of public law specialists, serving local authorities, other public sector organisations and registered social landlords, as well as commercial clients and the third sector.

Our team advises on a wide range of public law matters, spanning electoral law, procurement, construction, infrastructure, data protection and information law, planning and dispute resolution, to name a few key specialisms.

All public sector organisations have a route to instruct us through the various frameworks we are appointed to. To find out more about our services, please click here.

OUR NEXT EVENT

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

“We were very impressed with both the speed and quality of the Sharpe Edge response
to a difficult question and would definitely recommend the new platform.”

“Following a question raised in relation to the ability to recover costs from third parties, the Sharpe Edge service
provided a most prompt and valuable response to a very specific point whereupon such advice is now being incorporated
into the Council’s fees and charges policy. Would most certainly recommend Sharpe Edge.”

OUR KEY LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

Peter Collins