Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

Framework for the provision of Legal Services

University of Essex

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Award

10 Jun 2025 at 14:57

Award Notice
Tender

18 Feb 2025 at 14:54

Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process represents the establishment of a comprehensive framework for the provision of legal services, initiated by the University of Essex in collaboration with Dukefield Procurement Ltd. This framework offers a broad spectrum of legal services and is accessible to all public sector bodies across the UK. The procurement, under an open procedure, concluded with contracts signed on 10th June 2025. The process involved seven distinct lots, with contracts awarded to a varying number of suppliers per lot. The buying organisation, the University of Essex, headquartered in Colchester, is aligned with the education sector and has leveraged an eTendering system for its procurement exercises.

This legal services framework poses significant growth opportunities for firms specialising in public sector legal services by providing a gateway into diverse sectors ranging from education to property and commercial services. Irrespective of size, both large entities and SMEs with robust capabilities in legal advisory and representation, and those that can meet niche requirements like academy conversion, can find viable prospects. The framework is especially beneficial for suppliers that can deliver high-quality services across multiple public sector domains, further fostering competitive advantage and long-term strategic partnerships with numerous public sector organisations.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Framework for the provision of Legal Services

Notice Description

The Framework will provide access to a comprehensive range of Legal Services. It is let by the University of Essex and is open for use by all contracting authorities across the public sector throughout the UK (and any future successors to these organisations). These include (but not limited to) central government departments and agencies, Non Departmental Public Bodies, NHS bodies, Local Authorities, Police Authorities, Emergency Services, Educational Establishments, Hospices, Registered Charities, National Parks, Registered Social Landlords and any other body permitted by the Contracting Authority. Full details of the classification of eligible end user establishments and geographical areas is available at https://www.dukefieldprocurement.co.uk/fts-eligible-users . The Framework will be let across seven (7) Lots. There will be a maximum of eight (8) suppliers awarded a place on each of the Lots.

Lot Information

One Stop Shop

This Lot is designed to meet the Legal Services needs of organisations across the public sector throughout the entire United Kingdom. The Lot covers a comprehensive range of Legal Services but available across several workstreams including Human Resources Services, Academy Conversion and Post Conversion Services, Property Services, Commercial Services and Dispute and Litigation Services. Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Legal Services: Human Resources, Pensions and People

This Lot is designed to meet the needs of organisations across the public sector for legal advice of a Human Resources, Pensions and People perspective. The Lot covers a comprehensive range of Human, Resources, Pensions and People related Legal Services. Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Legal Services: Academy Conversion and Post Conversion Services

This Lot is designed to meet the needs of organisations across the public sector for Academy Conversion and Post Conversion services. The Lot covers a comprehensive range of Academy Conversion and Post Conversion Legal Services Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Legal Services: Property

This Lot is designed to meet the needs of organisations across the entire public sector for property legal services. The Lot covers a comprehensive range of Property Legal Services. Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Legal Services: Commercial - Contracts, Procurement Governance and related matters

This Lot is designed to meet the commercial legal services needs of organisations across the entire public. The Lot covers a comprehensive range of commercial - contracts, procurement, governance and related matters legal services. Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Legal Services: Dispute Resolution and Litigation

This Lot is designed to meet the dispute resolution and litigation needs of organisations across the entire public sector. The Lot covers a comprehensive range of dispute resolution and litigation legal services. Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Legal Services for Education (including Universities and Higher Education)

This Lot is designed to meet the education legal services needs of organisations across the entire public sector. The Lot covers the comprehensive suite of Legal Services detailed within the Lot 1 National One Stop Shop Lot from an Education perspective plus access to Education specific services, particularly with reference to Higher Education and the University sector. Full details of the service provision are contained within the Invitation to Tender documentation. There will be a maximum of 8 suppliers awarded a place on this framework Lot.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-04e35d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/031296-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large, SME

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

79111000 - Legal advisory services

79112000 - Legal representation services

79120000 - Patent and copyright consultancy services

79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services

79131000 - Documentation services

79132000 - Certification services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£63,000,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£63,000,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£9,000,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Jun 20251 years ago
Submission Deadline
31 Mar 2025Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
10 Jun 20251 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Cancelled
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
University of Essex
Additional Buyers

Dukefield Procurement Limited

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BOLTON
Postcode
CO4 3SQ
Postcode Area
Colchester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH34 Essex Haven Gateway
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Colchester
Electoral Ward
Wivenhoe
Westminster Constituency
Harwich and North Essex

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
10
Supplier Names

Bevan Brittan LLP

Davitt Jones Bould Limited

Eversheds LLP

Forbes Solicitors

Freeths LLP

HCR Legal LLP

JGPOOLE&CO LLP

Shakespeare Martineau LLP

Stone King

Weightmans LLP

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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.

Loading OCDS record...