Launch of NHS SBS legal services framework for public sector
9th October 2018
Public sector expected to save £500K through new major national framework
Public Sector bodies are able to take advantage of a new free-to-access Legal Services Framework, enabling them to significantly reduce the time and costs associated with procurement.
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) has re-launched its Legal Services Framework, which covers the whole of the UK and Northern Ireland and includes Local Authorities, Central Government Departments and Arms Length Bodies as well as NHS organisations. NHS SBS expects the Framework to save the public sector around half a million pounds in the next four years.
The Framework covers a wide range of core legal skill practice areas such as commercial, property and employment law, as well as NHS specific elements such as Mental Health and NHS Governance. New for the relaunched framework is Lot 11, which focuses on multi-disciplinary project support for assignments that are likely to have requirements in many different legal areas, such as major capital projects.
Following an in-depth tender process, NHS SBS secured competitive rates with over 25 law firms, including hourly, blended and volume discounts rates. The service also offers a free initial consultation of up to 45 minutes. Project management information can also be readily collected from suppliers to assist with the overall management and assess spend data.
Walker Morris is appointed to four practice areas comprising: Contract and Commercial Law; Property Law; Corporate Finance & PFI/PPP projects including LIFT; and Multi-Disciplinary Project Support.
This latest framework appointment follows a number of notable wins for the Walker Morris team. Earlier this year the Firm was reappointed to the Homes England Legal Services National Framework and the Firm is also part of a consortium won a tender appointment last year as a Tier 1 adviser to the new Central Government General Legal Services Panel, worth £400m.
The Walker Morris team advised Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) on a generation centre contract (including a heat network common with the University of Leeds) at the LGI and is currently advising on an energy services agreement for the St James’s site. (Europe’s largest teaching hospital). The Team is also advising public and private sector bodies on options for future management of major PFI/PPP contracts.
Phil Davies, NHS SBS Procurement Director, said:
“Our Legal Services Framework will enable procurement teams across the NHS and public sector to quickly access legal expertise in a fully OJEU-compliant, hassle-free way.
“With the legal landscape always changing, we’ve listened to our partner organisations and ensured the Framework incorporates the specialisms they are most likely to need in the coming years – such as IT and data experts. It ensures that there are a range of supplier types, from the big legal firms with an office in every major city, to smaller companies with very specific expertise.
“Ensuring value for money without compromising on quality is a must for all public sector organisations, so we’ve also thoroughly assessed all firms on the Framework, with only the most robust, with the best credentials, winning a place.
“The Framework will allow our NHS and public sector partners to get it right first time when appointing legal services, something that can only be good news for stretched NHS and public sector budgets.”
The Framework includes:
- Lot 1 – NHS Governance & Public Law
- Lot 2 – Primary Care Services
- Lot 3 – Healthcare Law
- Lot 4 – Mental Health Law
- Lot 5 – Employment Law
- Lot 6 – Contract and Commercial Law
- Lot 7 – Property Law
- Lot 8 – Construction Law
- Lot 9 – IT, Telecommunications & E-Commerce
- Lot 10 – Corporate Finance & PFI/PPP projects including LIFT
- Lot 11 – Multi-Disciplinary Project Support
The Framework runs from 1 June 2018 to 31 May 2020 (with the option to extend until 31 May 2022). For further information on how to access the Framework please visit the NHS SBS website.
