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Parliamentary

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The Parliamentary team supports the Planning and Environment department by providing legislation-related services as required in connection with major infrastructure projects.  The team also supports on legislation-related issues throughout the firm, and undertakes free-standing projects drafting, challenging and advising on the interpretation and application of legislation in any area of the law.  The team also provides advice on machinery of government, also across the firm. 

The Parliamentary scene has become increasingly complicated in recent years with the proliferation of a variety of legislative mechanisms for delivering infrastructure projects.  The traditional distinction between local/private and public legislation becomes increasingly blurred, and in addition to a traditional Parliamentary Agency practice it is nowadays necessary to be able to promote and advise on primary and secondary legislation of all kinds.  The Parliamentary team has a combination of private and public legislation experience which enables it to handle and advise on: private Bills; transport and works orders; harbour revision and similar orders; amendments to public general Bills going through Parliament; Legislative Reform Orders; hybrid Bills and instruments; the use of secondary legislation to amend Acts; and the new Development Consent Order process, including the use of Special Parliamentary Procedure.
 
As Nationally Significant Infrastructure procedures and other recent developments in relation to planning and infrastructure, including the Localism Act 2011, make the legal landscape increasingly complicated, we use our range of skills and experience to offer flexible, imaginative thinking and adaptability as well as core legal skills and commercial nous.  We are already advising major clients on the promotion of multi-billion pound projects using the new Development Consent Order procedure. A facet of our parliamentary infrastructure-related business is its diversity, including rail, underground rail, light rail and tram projects, harbour modifications, bridges over navigable waters, and now water industry, power transmission and gas storage promotions also.

The non-planning aspects of the Parliamentary Team’s work include legislative drafting, and specialist advice on statutory interpretation and legislation-issues.  Projects include advice on challenge to the constitutionality of foreign legislation.


Get in touch

Vicky Fowler

Vicky Fowler

BLP
Partner, Planning and Environment
Helen Kemp

Helen Kemp

BLP
Parliamentary Agent

If you need help with a legal or business issue, please contact our team.

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