As the political parties move into the final days of the election campaign, outside advisers are jostling for position in the hope of winning lucrative work on the back of any election fall out.
As in any business environment, legal advice and proper risk management can be crucial, particularly in the heady campaigning atmosphere preceding the big vote on 7 June.
The American election turned into a veritable feast for the lawyers.
Just who is responsible for the day-to-day management of the legal issues that arise during the campaign?
Labour
Andrew Sharp is responsible for overseeing legal and constitutional affairs for the Labour party. Sharp, who is not legally qualified, has worked as the legal liaison officer under five different leaders and has primary responsibility for instructing and managing external advisers.
The long term external legal adviser for the Labour party is Gerald Shamash (left), of London firm Steel and Shamash, who advises the party on all electoral law issues.
Shamash began working for the party in 1992 and was a Labour councillor for eight years in Barnet.
The other key adviser to the party is John Sharp, a partner at Gregory Rowcliffe and Milners. Sharpe advises on constitutional issues.
“Between the two firms we are the main advisers to the party, although other specialists may be brought in,” Shamash says.
