Our Legal teams

Our contract team assist with negotiating and drafting contracts for a variety of goods, services and construction works, including software procurement, public health services and some exciting major projects which have included the town centre regeneration and music festivals.

Hear from Sarah about her experience in the contracts team.

Our litigation team do criminal prosecution work including rogue traders, environmental health, injuries and deaths in the workplace and associated inquests.

Civil litigation including housing disrepair claims, debt recovery, judicial review and rogue landlord banning orders. Licensing work including taxis and premises licensing advice, committee attendance enforcement and appeals.

Philippa and Waleed tell us more about the team, their roles, and what they enjoy about it. 

Our property team provide support and advice in relation to land acquisitions and disposals, leasehold matters, rent renewals, housing acquisitions, assets of community value (ACVs), major projects such as the recent market square regeneration and  the Bike Park.

Jacob tells us more about his role within the team and what makes it a great team to be in!

Our Planning team support planning officers and members in the planning process including attending monthly planning committee meetings and providing advice as required.

Preparing, negotiating and completing s106 legal agreements and unilateral undertakings along with undertaking planning enforcement as needed.

They provide support and advice on major projects or complex matters including applications for large housing or commercial developments across the area, as well as at appeal hearings and public inquiries.

Preparing Public Rights of Way Orders in relation to planning applications and where necessary referring to the Secretary of State. 

Our Highways team prepare and negotiate highways agreements including s38 agreements, s278 agreements, advanced payment codes and local event orders.

They support and advise on a wide range of highways matters as required including obstructing a right of way  or land ownership and maintenance responsibility.

They are also responsible for progressing public rights of way diversions which fall under the definitive map process.

Victoria and Jana tell us more about their roles in the team here.

Our Adult Social Care Lawyers provide advice on the Council’s responsibilities under the Care Act 2014, Mental Capacity Act 2005, Health and Social Care Act 2008 and Mental Health Act 1983.

They prepare and submit applications to the Court of Protection and High Court, for example COP applications for Deputyship, welfare and best interests, deprivations of liberty, s21a challenges, judicial review and inherent jurisdiction, providing legal advice and support across a broad range of areas including Ordinary Residence, Data Protection and Freedom of Information, safeguarding, provider failure, section 117 aftercare, deprivation of liberty cases.

Mukti and Viren tell us more about the team and what they enjoy about working at West Northamptonshire Council here.

The Education team give advice and representation in all aspects of Education Law, including SEND, managing a caseload of SEND Tribunal cases and responding to pre-action Judicial Review claims, drafting and preparing legal documents, representing the local authority in the SEND Tribunal.

The Childcare team give advice and representation in all aspects of childcare law, including care proceedings, adoption and safeguarding matters, managing a caseload of complex childcare cases, drafting and preparing legal documents, including applications and orders, representing the local authority in court, advocating for the best interests of children and families.