Public/Private partnerships
Joint ventures and strategic partnerships between organisations traditionally seen as being on one side or the other of the public/private divide are increasingly common. They are creating a new playing field for both sides to do business on, and a new platform for business and service development.
A PPP project is likely to be wide in scope, may involve a number of public authorities working together and may achieve a more significant degree of risk transfer (from the public sector to the private sector) than previously, often to those who are best placed to manage it. Examples involving the private sector in the provision of public services include the Building Schools for the Future programme, student accommodation projects, housing renewal schemes, waste projects and road tolls. The Private Finance Initiative (PFI) is a form of PPP project.
We act for a range of client organisations engaging in such partnerships: the police, local authorities, non-departmental public bodies, port authorities, building contractors and developers, registered social landlords, charities, educational foundations, school governing bodies, professional bodies and institutions and elements of our church practice.
The key areas in which we can help you include:
- Constitutional and administrative law.
- Public body powers.
- Procurement and best value.
- Land and site assembly, including planning.
- Ownership and licensing of developed intellectual property.
- Contract negotiation and post contract management.
- Stakeholder involvement.
- The management of change.
- Trading by non-profit making entities.
- Establishment of joint ventures and control mechanisms including agency arrangements.
- Disputes including Judicial Review instigated by unsuccessful bidders.
Working with our colleagues in the specialist sectors, we provide advice and support which is both knowledgeable and tailored to the unique requirements of your project.