Public Sector

Stephen Phillips, Public Sector
The squeeze on public finances is causing public authorities across Scotland to explore new ways of working in an effort to make the most of available funding. Burness is at the forefront of new developments in this field, with a track record in alternative delivery models – and new approaches to public sector procurement. Increasingly, we find that private sector players instruct us for legal support in fine-tuning their bids on major public sector projects – recognising the contribution that we can make in maximising their prospects of success.

Pioneering new models

Burness has played a major role in introducing new models within the Scottish public sector. We were first to put forward the limited liability partnership (LLP) model in a local authority context, and in addition the Non Profit Distributing (NPD) corporate structure that we developed for the Falkirk Council schools project was adopted as a model of best practice by the Scottish Government. More recently, we acted for the ten public sector participants on the first hub initiative project to reach contractual close - the South East Territory hubco.

Commitment and collaboration

Our clients value the role that we play in project management, in helping to ensure that a clear path is set and that progress is closely monitored. And, most of all, our clients appreciate our total commitment to the job in hand - ensuring that the project is delivered on time, and in a manner that is fully attuned to the client’s objectives and priorities.

We are regularly called upon to assist with major property projects, construction disputes and employment issues - as well as specialist help on procurement, state aids, and issues of vires (legal capacity).

We see it as our role to supplement – rather than supplant – the work of the in-house legal team. We work seamlessly as part of an integrated team, providing additional resource and/or specialist expertise, and in a way that reflects the best principles of true collaboration and joint working.