Ruth O’Sullivan

Associate | Public Law & Regulatory

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Ruth is an Associate in our Public Law Team.

Ruth joined Capital from the Government Legal Department in Spring 2023, where she was advising the Department for Transport on its Rail Transformation Programme.

Ruth works with public law and regulatory clients both in an advisory capacity and where there is a dispute.

Ruth has worked as a legal adviser for central government in several departments including, the Department of Health and Social Care, the Department for Education and the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.  She also has experience of public law litigation – specifically Judicial Review, Freedom of Information appeals and contempt of Court – as well as private law claims.

Before becoming a lawyer, Ruth worked in policy and public affairs for charitable organisations. She specialised in policy areas such as supported housing, welfare and special educational needs and became familiar with the legislative frameworks relevant to these areas.

Expertise

  • Commercial Disputes
  • Public law and regulatory
  • Education
  • GDPR
  • Equalities
Cegin

Recent work

The Gambling Commission
Advising the Gambling Commission in relation to the 4th National Lottery Licence.

Advising the Gambling Commission on Regulatory Settlement funds and the approved Research, Education and Treatment list.

Bridgend Schools
Advising Bridgend schools on issues such as Individual Health Plans, rules around parent governors and school policies.

BMA
Advising the British Medical Association in litigation in the Court of Appeal.

 

Ruth joins us from the Department of Transport where her work encompassed:

  • Advising the Department for Transport on passenger focussed elements of rail transformation including accessibility and Transport Focus.
  • Advising on amendments to the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.
  • Advising the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on the ‘How to Rent’ tenant guide.
  • Drafting coronavirus regulations on commercial tenancies.
  • Advising on Ofsted inspections during Covid-19.

Languages

  • Spanish (Limited working proficiency)

 

 

Testimonials

  • I would like to express my personal and professional thanks and appreciation for all of your advice and ongoing assistance in successfully obtaining our Sponsor license. Without your most valuable help I doubt very much that we would have been able to not only be granted the license but also to process our skilled workers in time to meet out project deadlines.

    Your attention to detail and knowledge of the process in order to achieve the right to work has been invaluable to me and our company and I thank you very much for your hard work.

    John Holland | Director
    Glass UK Civil Engineering Ltd

  • I must credit you on your ability to bring joy to the technicalities of the law.

    Senior Employment Adviser
    British Medical Association

  • We have been working with Capital Law for several years and are repeatedly impressed with their technical expertise, straightforward advice, and commercial mindset. The team is professional and approachable and always on hand to provide support and strategic solutions. They know our business and continue to be a valued partner as we scale across the UK banking market.

    Chris Waring | Chief Executive Office
    thisbank

  • Capital Law always provide the sharpest and most insightful advice and Nicola Cullen exemplifies why they are the go-to solicitors for all matters pertaining to public sector procurement. Working with Nicola I was immediately impressed not only by her intimate and granular knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 but how adeptly and expertly she was able to cascade information to an audience with differing depths of experience and knowledge.

    Nicola has that rare talent of being supremely able to communicate legal complexities in variety of easy-to-understand formats. I recommend Nicola and Capital Law to all my education sector clients

    Tim Warneford | Partner
    Warneford Consulting

  • Capital’s sport team provided invaluable support throughout our January transfer window. Their expertise in drafting our player contracts, managing registrations, and guiding us through the regulatory requirements ensured that our incoming transfers were completed smoothly and on time. Their responsiveness and understanding of the football industry made a real difference, we were able to focus on strengthening our squad knowing the legal work was in safe hands.

    Lowri Roberts | Interim CEO
    Bristol City Women FC

  • Toby was a pleasure to deal with. He got to grips with the practicalities of the property and made many useful suggestions on access requirements to protect both us and our tenants. He always replied promptly to my emails and telephone calls. After many years of dealing with property lawyers I can honestly say I have now found a solicitor who I know I can work with on any commercial property.

    Huw Prothero | Managing Partner
    Gwynlands Residential & Commercial Investment Property