Department profile
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law
UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide
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Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Sharpe Pritchard is best known for its work on private and hybrid Bills and acting on infrastructure projects that require statutory authorisation such as Development Consent Orders (DCOs), Transport and Works Orders and Harbour Orders.
The firm has promoted the majority of private Acts for local authorities in recent years, including substantial Acts of Parliament for the London Boroughs and TfL. It continues to act for a significant proportion of landowners, local authorities and others affected by the HS2 hybrid Bills and has been heavily involved in a significant number of the DCOs which have been promoted in 2020.
As well as infrastructure legislation, the firm’s work includes advising on and drafting legislation relating to charities, open spaces, highways and traffic, environmental law, licensing and regulatory work.
The firm also advises on emerging government legislation and Parliamentary procedure, and regularly drafts private members bills and amendments to government legislation.
It has a client base of government departments, local authorities and other public bodies, corporate bodies, landowners and infrastructure providers.
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Sharpe Pritchard advised Suffolk County Council on its objection to the Sizewell C nuclear power station Development Consent Order.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Sharpe Prichard has a very strong team and are highly competent.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUKThe Sharpe Pritchard team is responsive, intelligent and they take the time to understand how we operate so their support truly helps us advance our priorities.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUKThe team has been incredible. They have been flexible and responsive and have without doubt gone the extra mile.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUK
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 1 
Band 1 Alastair Lewis
Alastair Lewis is a vastly experienced partner at Sharpe Pritchard. He advises clients on promoting and opposing private and hybrid legislation, particularly in the energy and transport sectors. Alastair also advises authorities on their statutory powers and duties.
Alastair has an unparalleled understanding and grasp of both the process and the substance of Parliamentary proceedings.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUKAlastair is an expert in his field and the service provided has been outstanding.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUKAlastair's sector awareness and shrewd analysis has been invaluable in supporting us through the shifting shores of planning law.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUK
Band 1 
Band 1 Emyr Thomas
Emyr Thomas garners praise for his skill in election law and his capabilities as a parliamentary agent. He is recognised for his work with returning officers, and is frequently instructed by local authorities in challenges to infrastructure projects and electoral results.
Emyr is at the absolute pinnacle of this field, he is a real specialist.
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law respondentUK
Ranked Individuals at Sharpe Pritchard LLP (3)
UK-wide
Emyr Thomas
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Electoral Law
View profile Alastair Lewis
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Parliamentary Agency
View profile Emyr Thomas
Parliamentary & Public Affairs: Parliamentary Agency
View profile
Members
Provided by Sharpe Pritchard LLP
Emyr Thomas
View profile of Emyr ThomasAlastair Lewis
View profile of Alastair Lewis
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