The firm provided crucial legal advisory and support in closing a 3-year extension with Capita, who deliver key services to the councils including Revenues & Benefits and Land Charges, making significant savings allowing reinvestment into frontline services.

Following a successful 9-year term, four of the five councils involved in the initial contract have decided to extend their agreement with Capita, who will continue to provide a number of key services.

The decision to bring Capita on board was made in 2016 by the initial five councils, namely Somerset (formerly, Mendip District Council), South Oxfordshire District Council, Vale of White Horse District Council and Havant Borough Council and Hart District Council in order to streamline a number of services more efficiently, delivering important savings which could then be reinvested into the frontline. Reducing back-office costs is a common practice for public bodies across the UK, in a bid to preserve or improve public-facing operations and initiatives.

CEO and Founder of Hartley Law, Karenjit Dhaliwal, sat at the crux of the deal, providing legal support to the councils during contract extension negotiations. Hartley Law, which was founded in 2016, prides itself in offering fast, modern commercial legal support, working with clients that range from startups to international brands. Karenjit herself is no stranger to multiple-figure, high-stakes deals, having held a senior position at Southampton Football Club where she oversaw player transfers and deals in the millions on a regular basis. Karenjit’s working relationship with the councils began in 2017, as a way to contribute to public outcomes through a legal lens.

Both Karen and her firm operate with a clear ‘giving back’ policy, often supporting the local community in a number of ways, both personally and through Hartley Law. Assisting and aiding the councils has remained a priority for Karen, with the closing of this recent extension deal becoming a headline win for not only herself and the firm, but the councils and communities involved, given the positive impact this decision will continue to have on public services.

Karenjit Dhaliwal, CEO and Founder of Hartley Law and leading legal advisor on the Capita extension, said:

“This is a momentous achievement for Hartley Law, to have been directly involved in groundbreaking deal such as this one has been rewarding from start to finish. Advising on deals of this scale can be complex, but the fantastic teams involved, and the collaborative spirit has made the process both straightforward and successful. The savings to be made, which will ultimately be channelled into maintaining and improving public services across the UK, are the bottom line here. I believe there is no better anchor for deals such as these”.

Claire Hughes, Client Relationship Director representing the authorities on the Capita contract said:

 “Hartley Law, and Karenjit in particular, have been excellent to work with on the Capita contract. Their help in securing the extension has been invaluable and I am grateful to Karenjit for all the work she has done to make this process so smooth. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Hartley Law over the next 3 years.”

This demonstrates how today, big impact can be made by small teams. Multi-million-pound deals are no longer only reserved for large legal teams in skyscrapers but rather entrusted in small firms who not only possess the knowledge and the skill to provide a successful outcome, but who work directly with clients, prioritise personal relationships and actively fulfil their mission to make lasting positive impact.

A recurring theme we are witnessing more regularly, this speaks directly to the shift in values of society today. With people ever more conscious of the part they play in the bigger picture, companies increasingly look to work with professionals who not only meet their needs but possess core values that underpin their work, while aligning directly with the desired outcome.

Hartley Law make clear through their clear mission and ways of working, messaging and approach across digital platforms and importantly, their certification as a B Corporation, that giving back can be for everyone, no matter the size of the business.