England - London • Public sector
Sharpe Pritchard LLP
The parliamentary infrastructure team at Sharpe Pritchard LLP has an ‘unparalleled grasp of parliamentary work’ and vast experience drafting and promoting bills for its roster of clients, which spans large landowners, local authorities, and registered charities. The team, which is led by experienced Parliamentary Agent and leading infrastructure lawyer Alastair Lewis, promotes a large proportion of the private bills enacted by parliament and is also well-equipped to handle Transport and Works Act Orders and Development Consent Orders in relation to energy and transportation projects. Emyr Thomas is also a qualified Parliamentary Agent and extends the team’s expertise as a key contact for large landowners and local councils seeking advice on their objections to parliamentary infrastructure projects such as HS2. Aidan Dickinson, who advises on the compulsory purchase elements of private bills and DCO schemes, is also highly recommended for his advice to clients petitioning against major infrastructure schemes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Alastair Lewis is hugely competent and practical.’
‘Sharpe Pritchard is second to none in its parliamentary expertise. There is nowhere better for intelligent and practical advice.’
‘Alastair Lewis is bright and works particularly hard for his clients. His advice is clear, soundly based, and realistic, and it reflects his extensive experience in this area. Emyr Thomas is likewise very experienced and enthusiastic and is adept at obtaining the attention of committees.’
‘There is, quite simply, no one with better experience and knowledge of how to petition Select Committees in relation to hybrid bills than Emyr Thomas and Alastair Lewis. They have an unparalleled grasp of parliamentary work.’
Key clients
- Cheshire East Council
- Cheshire West & Chester Council
- Churchwardens of Monken Hadley Parish Church
- National Trust
- Suffolk County Council
Work highlights
- Advised the Churchwardens of Monken Hadley Parish Churchon the drafting and promotion of the private bill which became the Monken Hadley Common Act 2022.
- Advised the Cheshire West & Chester Council on its objection to the HS2 Phase 2B Bill.
- Advised the National Trust on its objection to the Portishead Branch Line - MetroWest Phase 1 Development Consent Order (DCO).
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alastair Lewis