Browne Jacobson has secured a notable appointment to collaborate with the Government Legal Department.
- The partnership involves providing legal services to Defra, covering areas like environmental and public law.
- This appointment forms part of the firm’s role in the CCS Legal Services Panel Framework Agreement.
- The contract is arranged for 12 months, potentially extending by three additional months.
- Browne Jacobson’s involvement aligns well with their extensive experience in the public sector.
Browne Jacobson has been appointed to lend its legal expertise to the Government Legal Department, a significant development in the realm of public-sector legal services. This collaboration entails advising the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), a department central to UK governmental operations concerning environmental, food, and rural affairs.
The appointment was secured as part of Browne Jacobson’s participation in the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) Legal Services Panel Framework Agreement. This agreement places the firm in a pivotal role to provide comprehensive legal advice and services across various areas, including public and administrative law, regulatory issues, planning, and environmental law—responsibilities that are integral to Defra’s extensive remit.
The contract under which Browne Jacobson will operate is initially set for a period of twelve months, with an option for a three-month extension. Such flexibility indicates the dynamic nature of governmental legal advisory needs and the importance of maintaining a responsive and adaptable legal support system.
Defra’s responsibilities span numerous critical areas, including managing the UK’s natural environment, ensuring biodiversity, overseeing sustainable development and the green economy, and maintaining standards in food, farming, and fisheries. Additionally, animal health and welfare, as well as environmental protection and rural community support, fall under its jurisdiction, which positions Browne Jacobson to engage deeply with issues of national significance.
Laura Hughes, the client relationship partner for Defra at Browne Jacobson, expressed enthusiasm over the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to be working so closely with the Government Legal Department advising Defra. The department manages a diverse range of issues—from supporting the growth of a rural economy to protecting the UK’s natural environment and supporting and promoting the UK’s food and farming industries.”
The law firm’s extensive experience in the public sector is supported by its wide-ranging client portfolio that features local authorities, NHS bodies, and central government departments. Their role as strategic panel members extends to working with the Welsh Government Commercial Division, highlighting their capability and recognition as a ‘true heavyweight’ by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.
This collaboration marks a significant step in legal advisory services within the public sector, reinforcing Browne Jacobson’s role as a key player.
