Administrative and Public Law
Across the UK, several hundred government bodies deliver services, allocate funds, and interact with individuals and organisations in various ways. We help everyone involved to manage those interactions lawfully and effectively.
“The Shepherd and Wedderburn team provide clear, concise and detailed advice on Scottish law and procedure, and the service is invaluable and very prompt.”
Chambers (2025)
Public law – the rules around how government bodies interact with other organisations and individuals – can change frequently and significantly. Devolution and Brexit both had profound effects, for example. We have the knowledge and insight to advise on all aspects of this wide-ranging area of law.
We can advise when a public body’s decision is challenged in a judicial review action. We also often help regulators, councils and other bodies to ensure that their decisions and processes comply with all relevant laws.
We can also offer a strategic view: practical advice on the potential implications of known or possible constitutional changes for particular sectors. This is based on a deep understanding of the UK’s constitutional framework, including the devolved governments and the UK-EU relationship.
We also often provide drafting services. This might involve proposing and drafting changes to draft legislation, and preparing consultation responses; or designing the framework of consultative exercises, and drafting statutory notices.
Our expertise includes:
- Advice on lawful decision-making and challenges to judicial reviews
- Constitutional change and its implications for specific sectors
- Proposing changes to draft legislation
- Preparing and drafting statutory notices
- Drafting responses to consultations
- Designing consultative exercises
Meet our key contacts
Gordon Downie
Partner
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Contact us
Gordon Downie
Partner
