Governance and administrative law

At McLeods, we understand that local governments are required to operate within a unique and highly regulated environment. With 40 years experience, our familiarity with the day-to-day challenges faced by local governments means our team is well-equipped to advise them in the full range of issues relating to administrative law and governance. Every year we provide hundreds of legal opinions to our local government clients, drawing on our expert knowledge of relevant legislation.

governance and administrative law

McLeods’ government administrative lawyers draw on their depth and breadth of knowledge and experience to provide legal services so that local governments can confidently navigate the complex issues that affect their operation. From codes of conduct and elections to privacy matters and corruption inquiries, our team of administrative lawyers assist local government to achieve their operational goals through an approach that is personalised and client-focused.

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Our areas of specialty

Our expertise covers all general governance issues including:

  • the roles and responsibilities of the Council
  • Council members
  • the CEO and other employees
  • procedures for the Council
  • committees and electors
  • financial interests and gifts
  • election processes
  • contracting and tendering
  • freedom of information (FOI) issues
  • complaints made to the Standards Panel

Investigations & inquiries

investigations and inquiriesOver the years McLeods has gained extensive experience providing advice and legal representation in investigations and inquiries. Our partner Neil Douglas served as Acting Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission for three years. We have assisted with highly publicised inquiries, but are also involved in several smaller scale inquiries and investigations at any given time. We work with our clients to ensure matters are dealt with efficiently in their best interests.

Drafting local laws & policies

drafting local laws and policiesWe work with local governments to draft new and amend existing local laws and policies. We also assist with reviewing proposed local laws and policies that local governments have prepared, advising where any changes may be needed. Our team is backed by extensive experience and specialist knowledge of the restrictions on local governments’ law making powers and the relevant procedural requirements. We understand the benefits that arise when local governments have plain English, user friendly and workable local laws, and help local governments throughout WA achieve this.

Rates & technical services

rates and technical servicesMcLeods frequently advises local governments on rates and technical service issues, including rate recovery, exemption cases and land valuation issues. Our team of lawyers have extensive experience in Supreme Court appeals for rate related issues, and have achieved successful outcomes for our local government clients in many landmark cases.

Waste management

waste managementMcLeods assists local governments with waste management issues across several areas of law from governance and environmental regulation to contracts and joint ventures. We have acted successfully for numerous local governments such as the City of Stirling, the City of Swan and the City of Canning in relation to waste supply agreements and contracts. We also have experience coordinating multidisciplinary teams of expert witnesses on odour, noise, groundwater and other environmental issues of interest to the local community.

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Key Personnel

David Nicholson

David Nicholson

Managing Partner

Neil Douglas

Neil Douglas

Partner

Denis McLeod

Denis McLeod

Partner

Elisabeth Stevenson

Elisabeth Stevenson

Consultant

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