Nathan Holden
Partner & Head of Local Government
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‘Nathan Holden in the Local Government team is consistently the most responsive compared to lawyers in other firms, applying his extensive experience and knowledge of local government practices and processes to help find practical solutions, often at extremely short notice.’
(The Legal 500, 2024)
Nathan leads Freeths’ Local Government Practice and is an expert in Local Government Law.
On a day-to-day basis he advises clients on a diverse range of matters including: advising local authorities on participating in joint venture arrangements including property companies, on powers relating to land disposals, compulsory purchase orders, powers to trade, EU procurement, State Aid, Town and Village Greens, housing companies and property investment vehicles.
Nathan is listed as a Recommended Lawyer in The Legal 500 (2024 edition).
Legal Services
Competition Law
Nathan advises a range of public bodies and utilities on EU Procurement and State aid matters.
Recent Work
- Nathan advised London Luton Airport on an ad hoc basis, and in connection with a project to construct a new terminal building and car park (value circa £100 million).
- Advised Bristol Airport in connection with the award of concession contracts for the provision of bus services linking the Airport with Bristol city centre.
- Nathan advised local authority clients including Cherwell District Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, Wyre Forest District Council and Leicester City Council. This was in connection with town and other urban regeneration schemes, in particular advising on the appointment of developer partners.
- Advised a range of public bodies on the State aid issue in connection with a number of projects, including Birmingham City Council (Finance Birmingham), London Borough of Newham, Leicester City Council, Northumberland County Council, Cherwell District Council, Manchester City Council and the London Borough of Newham.
Sectors
Local Government
Nathan leads the firms local government sector practice advising local authorities on highways, planning, town and village greens, compulsory purchase, shared services, grant agreements, outsourcing arrangement, public procurement, state aid, and local authority land disposal and acquisition powers. He has a wealth of experience of advising on local government issues.
Cases
- Nathan advised Leicester City Council in connection with their Waterside project. This is a £100 million project to breathe new life into an old and derelict industrial area close to Leicester City Council. The area has historically proven difficult to regenerate. Nathan advised on the EU procurement aspects of appointing a developer and most recently on the making and promotion of a compulsory purchase order for the site.
- Advised Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council in connection with the application of the EU procurement rules – and more recently the making and promotion of a compulsory purchase order to allow for the Touchwood Shopping Centre in Solihull town centres to be extended. This is a major project with land and works costing a combined total of £80 million. This currently includes advising on highways issues including new access arrangements, use of traffic regulation orders and the management of private rights of way.
- Advising a number of local authorities in connection with establishing companies and other options for the purposes of holding commercial property assets and directly investing in commercial property generally. These have included Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Waverley Borough Council, Tandridge District Council, Liverpool City Council, North Lincolnshire Council, London Borough of Newham and the London Borough of Havering.
- Advising a number of local authorities in participating in shared services arrangements for services including revenue and benefit, legal and children’s services. The clients advised include Central Bedfordshire Council, Northampton Borough Council, Doncaster Children’s Services and Police Commissioner for Devon and Cornwall.
Latest
- Freeths advises Mole Valley District Council on joint venture partnership with Kier Property
- A bird in the hand…
- The Durham Company Limited v Durham County Council
- Open space land and advertising requirements
- Reporting requirements under the Subsidy Control Act 2022
- The Procurement Bill – plus ça change?
- Freeths has been named as a supplier on Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Public Sector Legal Services Panel
- Decarbonisation through Procurement
- Freeths Sector Showcase
- Freeths Funding a Better Future series: Series wrap up and Q&A
- Subsidy Control – The same but different?
- Real Estate Blog – Avoiding rates on unoccupied commercial properties
- Local Bus Services – Is an Enhanced Partnership your next destination?
- Funding a better Future – Vlog series
- Local Government Webinar Programme – Real Estate: Repurposing Town Centres
- Live Webinar: The Tools Needed for Regeneration – 14th May 2020
- Coronavirus and the implications for Local Government FAQs
- Local Government Real Estate Workshop – Birmingham – 12 July 2019
- Local Government Real Estate Workshop – London – 5 July
- Local Government Real Estate Workshop – Nottingham – 1 July
- Local Government Real Estate Workshop – Leeds – 25 June
- Freeths appointed to Crown Commercial Services panel
- Robots: much more than a compromise
- Changes to Threshold Levels for Public Procurements
- Local Government Update – Councillor Disqualification
- Procurement Law Update
To contact Nathan or for more information…
Call: 0345 077 9646
Mobile: 0750 122 6139
Or email: Send an email
- Compulsory Purchase Association
‘Nathan Holden’s understanding and sensitivities to local politics and governance issues make him stand out.’
(The Legal 500, 2024)
“I really enjoyed working with Nathan Holden”
(The Legal 500, 2024)
“Nathan Holden is excellent. Responsive and knowledgeable.”
(The Legal 500, 2022)
“Nathan Holden is my go-to lawyer for local governance advice. He always has time, can unravel all the issues in hand to find a practical solution, while appreciating the political dimension of our local authority legal work and always explains it all in a clear and jargon-free way.”
(The Legal 500, 2022)
“Nathan Holden is a very reassuring presence in any project. He is very, personable, knowledgeable and explains complicated issues in a effective manner.”
(The Legal 500, 2020)
Nathan holden is a “pleasure to work with” noted one Public Sector client.
(The Legal 500, 2021)
“The ‘knowledgeable’ Nathan Holden, who leads the firm’s local government offering, is regularly involved in the drafting of partnership arrangements, compulsory purchases and other commercial work.”
(The Legal 500, 2020)
“Freeths’ lawyers are acknowledged for their ‘excellent service and specialist expertise’. Nathan Holden, who heads the team, is particularly recommended.”
(Chambers & Partners 2018)
Client service
‘Doing the right thing’ is at the heart of Freeths. Find out more about our excellent client service and the strong set of values that guide the way we work.
Talk to us
Freeths are a leading national law firm with 13 offices across the UK. If you have a query about our services or just want to find out more, why not give us a call?
Contact: 03301 001 014