Orbis Public Law

Orbis Public Law (OPL) is the partnership of Brighton & Hove City Council Legal Services, East Sussex County Council Legal Services and West Sussex County Council Legal Services. Through sharing best practice, joint training and streamlining processes, the partnership increases each Council’s resilience and capacity to support their clients and to provide an even more effective service.

What does Orbis Public Law do?

We undertake Legal work for Brighton & Hove City Council, East Sussex County Council and West Sussex County Council, as well as various other local government organisations and public bodies. Some work may be carried out across the partnership and as such a fee earner employed by one of the other Councils may be allocated to another Council’s matter.

Work is always undertaken by a fee earner (member of the legal team who can charge for work) with suitable experience and with appropriate supervision to ensure the quality of service. Before accepting instructions in relation to a matter, checks are conducted to prevent conflicts of interest occurring. There is also an ongoing requirement to consider whether a conflict of interest has arisen at any time after taking on a matter. Should a conflict be identified, a discussion will take place with the client to determine how it can be dealt with.

Unless it is routine advice work, at the commencement of any new matter, the client will always be informed who will have day to day conduct of their matter, their position and contact details. The client will also be informed who will have overall responsibility for their matter, usually the Principal or Senior Solicitor for the appropriate team.

Each partner Council will ensure that their staff maintain client confidentiality, have regular training so that they are suitably informed on developments in the law, applicable Council policies and practices and all other relevant matters in order to provide the most accurate and up to date legal service possible.

Enquiries

Please note that we cannot provide legal advice or services to members of the public.

If you are an existing client and wish to make an enquiry to Orbis Public Law, please feel free to contact the relevant lawyer directly (if known) or email us at:

Legally qualified staff are available in each partner authority between 9am and 5pm on each working day.

Useful documents