Planning

Provision of Contact Centre Services to the Legal Aid Agency

LEGAL AID AGENCY

This public procurement record has 9 releases in its history.

Planning

27 Mar 2026 at 09:54

PlanningUpdate

20 Mar 2026 at 15:40

PlanningUpdate

20 Mar 2026 at 14:55

PlanningUpdate

07 Nov 2025 at 16:26

PlanningUpdate

15 Oct 2025 at 12:15

PlanningUpdate

14 Oct 2025 at 15:00

PlanningUpdate

26 Jun 2025 at 09:35

PlanningUpdate

25 Jun 2025 at 14:25

Planning

23 May 2025 at 16:37

Summary of the contracting process

The Legal Aid Agency, based in London, is planning a new procurement opportunity for the Provision of Contact Centre Services. This tender, under the Outsourced Services Framework (RM6295), targets suppliers from Lot 1 (Citizen Experience) and focuses on the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) and the Civil Legal Advice Operator Service (CLAOS). These services are critical for managing client legal enquiries and facilitating access to free legal advice in police custody across England and Wales. The current stage of procurement is planning, with a notable market engagement session scheduled on 15 April 2026, and the deadline for participation set for 28 April 2026. Critical dates include potential communication for future notices on 1 July 2026, with the contract period commencing on 1 November 2027 and potentially extending to 31 October 2031.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in legal, customer, or call centre services, with a gross contract value of £29.28 million. It is particularly suitable for SMEs and VCSEs, given the procurement method excludes any special regimes. Businesses equipped with the expertise to handle legal advice services and manage client experiences will find this contract highly lucrative. By participating in this tender, companies can not only secure a long-term partnership with a central government agency but also expand their portfolio and footprint across multiple UK regions. The tender process emphasises collaboration and efficiency, prompting interested organisations to leverage their capabilities in delivering high-quality customer service solutions within the legal domain.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

Provision of Contact Centre Services to the Legal Aid Agency

Notice Description

The Legal Aid Agency ("LAA") is inviting Tenders from Lot 1 (Citizen Experience) of Outsourced Services Framework (RM6295) for contracts to deliver the LAA Contact Centre Services which comprise the Defence Solicitor Call Centre (DSCC) and the Civil Legal Advice Operator Service (CLAOS). The DSCC service manages the logging, identification and deployment of defence solicitors to provide free legal advice to clients detained in police custody in England and Wales. The CLAOS is a call centre service that assesses whether a client's legal issue is in scope of legal aid and whether they are financially eligible. If they are eligible, it refers the client to specialist advice provided through legal aid or, if not, directs clients to alternative sources of help and assistance.

Planning Information

Market Engagement to be held on 15/04/2026 and will be open only for suppliers on Lot 1 (Citizen Experience) of Outsourced Services Framework (RM6295) only.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0524f0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/028308-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

79100000 - Legal services

79342300 - Customer services

79512000 - Call centre

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£24,400,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
27 Mar 20264 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Jul 20263 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Nov 2027 - 31 Oct 2030 3-4 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
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
LONDON
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), TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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