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I specialise in public and administrative law, providing strategic advice and consultancy support for local authorities and other governing bodies. I also give expert legal advice and assistance, usually directed at the highest levels of organisations. My work often requires political awareness and sensitivity.
I am a team player and worked in-house for over 15 years before joining the private sector. My last role in local government was as Borough Secretary and Solicitor for Greenwich Council managing a team of 150 staff across a dozen functions, including; contracts standards and monitoring, equalities, community safety and emergency planning, democratic services, elections and legal. Before that I was Head of Legal Services for Lewisham Council and prior to that was Assistant Head of Legal and Principal Economic Development Solicitor for Kirklees Council where I was involved in many new and innovative projects, including; Kirklees Stadium, Kirklees Henry Boot Partnership, Kirklees Community Association and Kirklees Theatre.
I regularly advise on public sector vires and governance including advice on decision-making and constitutional issues; conduct and ethics; option appraisals and structuring (both public-public/shared services and public-private sector partnerships); major projects and regeneration schemes, including asset vehicles; PPPs; setting up and managing companies, charities and social enterprises; income generation; judicial review and minimising challenge.
My team and I strive to provide seamless additional support to in-house legal departments.
She's vastly knowledgeable and politically attuned as to what can and can't be achieved…she's pragmatic, down to earth and provides solutions to problems.
Publications
I have contributed articles to Health & Social Care for Local Government Lawyer, EM LawShare, SOLACE and the Municipal JournalRecent articles include:
The importance of Place and Revenue Growth for Local GovernmentSafeguarding Partners: Are you ready for 29 June 2019?
Councils must be prepared for Statutory Officer disciplinary investigations
Seminars and Training
I regularly hold seminars for SOLACE, the Westminster Forum, and LLG -
Councils must be prepared for Statutory Officer disciplinary...
21/06/2019
The MJ - article published 20 June 2019
Use of grievance procedures to impose sanctions for councillors'...
24/05/2018
Commentary on R (Harvey) v Ledbury Town Council [2018] EWHC 1151 (Admin)
The Haringey ruling and local authorities' duty to consult
15/02/2018
Commentary on governance issues
Strengthening standards for councillors and mayors – a missed...
20/09/2017
DCLG is consulting on proposals to update the criteria that bar individuals from becoming or being a local councillor or...
Role for Local Government in NHS Sustainability and Transformation...
04/05/2016
Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP) are at the heart of the Government's objective to drive greater efficiency and...
Sustainability and Transformation Planning: The Governance Challenges
06/04/2016
There is a tight timetable for the delivery of the sustainability and transformation plans ("STPs") across England and it is...
What should a consultation look like?
26/02/2016
The Cabinet Office has issued a revised set of consultation principles that are intended to act as guidance for Government...
Is your Constitution due a Health Check?
22/02/2016
With Annual Council only a few months away, now is the time to be doing it.
Devolution Act gets Royal Assent
01/02/2016
The Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016 has now received Royal Assent. The Bill has been much amended and extended...
Judith Barnes is a standout expert in local government law. Speaks and advises with authority and very knowledgeable across all areas of local government law. As a head of legal, I go to no-one else.