England - London • Public sector
Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Sharpe Pritchard LLP‘s elections team stands out for its ’unrivalled knowledge‘ of matters surrounding the work of returning officers. The team is instructed by several returning officers to handle contentious matters surrounding contested elections and has acted in numerous High Court election petition challenges to this effect. Under the leadership of electoral and parliamentary expert Alastair Lewis, the team is also capable of advising on electoral law and regulation compliance. In addition to his ability to handle election conduct challenges, Emyr Thomas is also a key contact for general electoral and polling day queries.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Experience which can be traced back over a hundred years. Intimate knowledge of the law and an involvement in a large percentage of all election work.’
‘Emyr Thomas is clearly the pre-eminent lawyer in this field.’
‘Particular expertise over generations, bringing unrivalled knowledge and sound advice to local government in need of advice.’
‘Emyr Thomas and Alastair Lewis have simply unparalleled knowledge and experience of parliamentary law. There is, quite simply, no one better informed and no one with better judgement about how to approach petitioning Select Committees on Hybrid Bills.’
‘Extensive knowledge in a niche and complex area of law which is critical in reaching the right decision when urgently needed.’
‘Emyr Thomas certainly requires an "exceptional availability" score for being on hand in the early morning following local elections to provide advice. Excellent advice.’
Key clients
- The Returning Officer for Buckinghamshire Council
- The Returning Officer for Oldham Council
- The Returning Officer for Selby District Council
Work highlights
- Advised the Returning Officer for Buckinghamshire Council on a successful defence of challenge to conduct of local government election by election petition.
- Advised the Returning Officer for Selby District Council on a successful defence of challenge to conduct of local government election by election petition.
- Advised Returning Officer for Oldham Council on a successful defence of challenge to conduct of local government election by election petition.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alastair Lewis