Hugh Peart
Director of legal and governance services
London Boroughs of Barnet and Harrow
Hugh Peart joined the London Borough of Harrow almost 20 years ago as a principal solicitor in the borough’s childcare law team. In October 2012, Barnet and Harrow officially merged their legal teams under Hugh’s leadership to form ‘HB Public Law’ with an aim to slash the councils’ legal spend by over £3m.
The new practice is a key member of the London Boroughs’ Legal Alliance (LBLA), an innovative partnership that shares work between ten councils, to try to keep the majority of work in-house. At present, LBLA’ s legal panel includes firms such as Kennedys, Bevan Brittan, Pinsent Masons, Bond Dickinson and Eversheds.
Law firms used: The LBLA legal panel of law firms and chambers includes Bevan Brittan, Bond Dickinson, Eversheds, Kennedys, Pinsent Masons
2004-present: Director of legal and governance services, London Borough of Harrow
1988-2004: Principal solicitor, London Borough of Harrow
1986-88: Assistant solicitor, London Borough of Merton