Award

2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Contract Award Notice

THE LEGAL AID AGENCY

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

06 Jan 2026 at 15:01

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Legal Aid Agency has completed the award stage of its 2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) contract, a significant procurement in the legal services industry. With an estimated value of £2,950,000, the contract covers multiple regions across the United Kingdom, including London, the North East, and Wales, among others. The procurement was conducted using an open procedure, suitable for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). The contract is set to begin on the 1st of February 2026 and will end on the 31st of May 2026. The contract was awarded to The Johnson Partnership and Watson Woodhouse Solicitors, as announced on the 6th of January 2026.

This tender presents considerable opportunities for SMEs specialising in legal services, particularly those with capabilities in criminal defence. Companies operating in the specified regions are well-positioned to benefit from this procurement, as the contract offers substantial service provision over a broad geographical area. The suitability for VCSEs ensures diverse participation, encouraging smaller and socially-oriented businesses to engage in competitive public sector markets. Involvement in such a contract can enhance business growth, offering exposure and potential for long-term engagements with a major governmental authority like The Legal Aid Agency.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Contract Award Notice

Notice Description

CDD Contract 2026

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/968e466f-556d-4889-9e32-43eb66e22d9d
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure (above threshold)
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,950,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£2,950,000 £1M-£10M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
6 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
28 Aug 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
6 Jan 20261 months ago
Contract Period
1 Feb 2026 - 31 May 2026 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
THE LEGAL AID AGENCY
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WESTMINSTER
Postcode
SW1H 9AJ
Post Town
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
2
Supplier Names

THE JOHNSON PARTNERSHIP

WATSON WOODHOUSE SOLICITORS

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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