WIN1730 Parlimentary Agency 4pp 297x160 aw4:WIN1730 Parlimentary Agency 4pp 297x160 aw4
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Recent promotions
Airdrie-Bathgate Railway and Linked Improvements Act 2007
Broads Authority Bill
City of London (Ward Elections) Act 2002
Crossrail Act 2008
Edinburgh Airport Rail Link Act 2007
Glasgow Airport Rail Link Act 2007
National Trust (Northern Ireland) Act 2007
Waverley Railway (Scotland) Act 2006
Contacts
Paul Irving
Partner
E [email protected]
Alison Gorlov
Partner
E [email protected]
Stephen Wiggs
Partner
E [email protected]
Parliamentary Agency
Winckworth Sherwood is a highly individual law firm, committed
to providing a relevant, competitive and professional service. Our
diversity is our strength and our lawyers often have deep personal
investment in our clients’ sectors. We are at the forefront of the
private and public sector interface and our collaborative approach
enables us to adapt to our clients’ individual needs, providing them
with pragmatic solutions to a whole range of requirements.
T 020 7593 5000
www.wslaw.co.uk
WIN1730 Parlimentary Agency 4pp 297x160 aw4:WIN1730 Parlimentary Agency 4pp 297x160 aw4
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What are Parliamentary Agents for?
Parliamentary Agents (all of whom are solicitors) may have a long
history, but their role is thoroughly modern. Their main purpose
is to obtain powers for public or private bodies by private
legislation. This may still involve private Bills and also includes
delegated legislation (such as Orders for transport schemes) for
purposes which in the past required a Private Act of Parliament.
Local authorities, banks and certain statutory companies are
amongst the bodies which have benefited from obtaining powers
in Bills promoted by Winckworth Sherwood. A private Bill can be
used as a vehicle to remedy an administrative inconvenience or
strengthen a body’s capacity to improve the delivery of services
for their stakeholders. Local authorities, for example, frustrated
at their lack of powers to tackle local problems, may seek to
enhance them via the private Bill route rather than waiting for
Government legislation.
Parliamentary Agents also play a vital role in promoting and
opposing hybrid Bills (Bills which are promoted by the
Government, but which also affect private interests). Winckworth
Sherwood leads the field in the promotion of hybrid measures.
Of the 10 hybrid Bills which have been promoted in the last
20 years, Winckworth Sherwood acted as Agent for 7, including
the Crossrail and Channel Tunnel Rail Link Bills.
Private legislation often affects third parties and Parliamentary
Agents are best equipped to advise those who wish to petition
against a private, hybrid Bill or Order. Winckworth Sherwood’s
team has vast experience in drafting petitions and in advising
on how to extract concessions from promoters.
Our reputation has led clients to seek our help on Government
Bills. In addition to drafting the amendments and advising on
procedure, our team can identify the MPs and peers best placed
to move the amendment and on Parliamentary tactics generally.
Our clients know that by instructing Winckworth Sherwood, they
will receive advice which will enable them to maximise their
Parliamentary opportunities to influence the outcome of an issue
of concern.
We have also been instructed by interest groups to draft Bills for
backbench MPs on Private Members’ Bills.
Practising as John Kennedy & Co, the firm has long experience in
handling Scottish private legislation. Following Scottish and Welsh
devolution and the restoration of home rule in Northern Ireland
the firm has handled legislation in all three devolved legislatures.
What does the work involve?
Three Winckworth Sherwood partners are Parliamentary Agents.
All of them are acknowledged as leaders in their field and have
satisfied the House authorities of their knowledge of private
Bill procedure.
Procedural knowledge is only part of the Parliamentary Agent’s
expertise. Our practitioners are skilled draftsmen, capable of
translating often complex requirements into language which is
appropriate and will be enforceable if it is ever tested in the courts.
The Agents, supported by a team of 5 experienced associates,
negotiate often complex agreements with objectors to the Bill
who are themselves often represented by other firms of Agents.
By removing opposition to a Bill in this way, the Agent eases its
passage through Parliament. Each Bill promoted by Winckworth
Sherwood is allocated a Parliamentary clerk who handles many
of the procedural and administrative aspects of a Bill’s promotion.
We tailor our services to meet the client’s needs. Some clients
will be experienced in handling Parliament and do not require
quite the same degree of advice and guidance as a client which
has never promoted a Bill before. But this is unusual. Our normal
approach is to become as involved in the promotion as possible,
advising on all strategic and tactical decisions. Always adept in
interpreting and applying the law, our advice is also pragmatic.
What our clients say about us
As reported by Chambers Client’s UK Guide to the Legal
Profession:
Parliamentary Agency
“The decision of the Department for Transport to use the
services of Winckworth Sherwood to promote the Crossrail Bill
bears testimony to the esteem in which the team is held. The
sheer size and complexity of the project, highlighted by the
volume and range of objections, has tested the vast experience
of the group. A similarly central role in railway projects north of
the border reinforces the firm’s standing at the pinnacle of such
work. “Multiple sources heaped praise on this “personable
organisation,” housing “great people who work as part of
your team.””. (2007)
““One of the most sound practices around”, Winckworth
Sherwood fields a distinguished practice of talented lawyers.
Clients are “entirely happy with the blend of high-quality legal
expertise and professional service” on offer. The firm has been
busy promoting the Crossrail Bill on behalf of the Department
of Transport.”. (2008)
Paul Irving
“Project manager for the Crossrail project, Paul Irving is
“universally admired for his skills, insight, common sense,
energy and judgement.” Paul Irving wins praise for his “terrific”
capabilities: “He is very incisive, extremely clever, great at
drafting and a joy to work with.””.
Alison Gorlov
“The “incredible” Alison Gorlov is highly recommended for her
parliamentary work: “Her technical and legal skills are matched
by her ability to communicate clearly with people.”. She
has been a key player in the promotion of the Edinburgh Airport
Rail Link, and is described by sources as an “excellent
parliamentary draftsman.””.