Tender

LAA Peer Review Independent Expert Panel

MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

TenderUpdate

30 Mar 2026 at 19:26

Tender

30 Mar 2026 at 14:51

Planning

12 Aug 2025 at 15:22

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Justice is actively conducting an open procurement process to establish a panel of Independent Experts for the Legal Aid Agency's Peer Review Scheme. This tender, titled "LAA Peer Review Independent Expert Panel," focuses on legal services in the UK, aiming to ensure quality in legal aid provisions. The current procurement stage is a tender update, with key deadlines including the end of the tender period on 1st May 2026 and the enquiry period concluding on 10th April 2026. The procurement, set in London, falls under the services category and adopts a light-touch procurement method below the threshold with open competition. The contract, valued at £270,000 net, spans from 19th June 2026 to 18th June 2031.

This tender offers significant opportunities for qualified legal services providers, particularly those experienced in quality management and the legal aid sector. Businesses with at least four years of professional work experience in law and quality management are ideal candidates. Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, benefiting from the potential for long-term collaboration and the prestige of working with a central government authority. Successful bidders will play a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of the legal aid system, through tasks like moderating peer review ratings and providing training, thus supporting the market's trust in public legal services.

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How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

LAA Peer Review Independent Expert Panel

Notice Description

The Authority is launching a tender to appoint a panel of Independent Experts who will act as a quality assurance mechanism to ensure the validity of Peer Review reports and ratings. The Authority intends to enter into three individual contracts. This initiative is not about recruiting additional Peer Reviewers. It is focused on appointing Independent Experts to support and oversee the Peer Review Scheme. The work expected under each contract is an average of 10 hours per month, however flexibility will be required from contract holders as work many fluctuate during the year, and some periods may be busier than others. The Peer Review scheme is the LAA's primary method for assessing the quality of legal advice provided by legal aid providers. Under this scheme, experienced legal practitioners review a sample of case files to determine whether the advice given meets professional standards. The scheme plays a critical role in maintaining public confidence in the legal aid system and ensuring value for money. The Independent Experts are central to the integrity of the Peer Review process. Their responsibilities will include moderating the consistency of ratings, training and supporting Peer Reviewers, and providing guidance on disputes between Peer Reviewers. Their oversight ensures that Peer Review ratings are fair, proportionate, and consistent across the legal aid provider base. SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT The Peer Review Independent Experts will be responsible for undertaking the following duties, including but not limited to: * Training of new Peer Reviewers and delivery of annual consistency training to existing Peer Reviewers. * Dealing with Peer Review Validations to ensure quality and consistency within the Peer Review reports and ratings. * Assist with disputes between Peer Reviewers - the Independent Expert must guide and make suggestions so the Peer Reviewers can reach an appropriate conclusion. * Validate representations against Peer Review ratings. * Quality Management of Peer Reviewers and Peer Review system - The Independent Expert is responsible for moderating the consistency and training of Peer Reviewers. * Maintaining the independence of the scheme - The legal profession respects the Peer Review Process due to its independence from the LAA. Whilst the LAA contract with the Peer Reviewers, the methodology and running of the scheme is independent. * Collaborating with the LAA on Peer Review in new categories of law - There are two different sets of Peer Review Criteria: Civil and Crime. The categories of law that are Peer Reviewed currently: Crime, Family, Housing, Immigration & Asylum and Mental Health. The LAA may wish to introduce Peer Review in other categories of law in the future. * Process Development: We may also require the contractor to assist with the development and improvement of the Peer Review Scheme. It is likely that the LAA will need to commission new Peer Reviewers during the contract terms, which will require input from the contractor. ACCESS TO THE ITT The Ministry of Justice is using the E-Sourcing Portal, Jaggaer, for this procurement which means the ITT is available only in electronic form. To access this procurement opportunity please log on to Jaggaer at https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/ and search for the ITT using reference ITT_10258 - LAA Peer Review Independent Expert Panel, to be able to view the ITT documents and submit a response. If you do not already have a Jaggaer account please register to create an account via the following link - https://ministryofjusticecommercial.bravosolution.co.uk/ If you have any issues registering, please contact 0845 0100 132 or e-mail esourcing@justice.gov.uk. Any queries regarding Jaggaer should be sent to the Authority's Central Support Team (Mon - Fri 08:30 - 17:00) by calling 0845 0100 132 or by emailing: esourcing@justice.gov.uk

Planning Information

MoJ Commercial is facilitating this procurement on behalf of the Legal Aid Agency (LAA). Market Engagement will be taking place on the dates below and will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. Market Engagement Presentation from the LAA and MoJ Commercial will be held on: Wednesday 3rd September 2025 11.30am - 12:30pm Thursday 4th September 2025 5pm - 6pm Please register your interest by contacting Commercial_PublicBodies_Business_Partnering@justice.gov.uk with subject line prj_15068 LAA Peer Review Independent Expert Panel. Please include the following detail in your message; - Full name(s) - Company/organisation name (if applicable) - Contact details (E-mail and phone number) - Selection of date/time of market engagement event A link to the event and a draft specification will be sent upon receipt of the information above. Following the market engagement event, MoJ will issue a short questionnaire to responding individuals or prospective Panel Members in order to gather market feedback on the requirement and to inform future strategy for the procurement. This notice is for Information only and the Authority reserves the right to not proceed to tender. Additionally, the Authority (MoJ) reserves the right to discontinue the tendering process and not to award the contract. The information contained in this notice, including information relating to the nature and scope of the requirements, the estimated value, the service classification of this requirement or the list of CPV codes, is only indicative of current thinking and is neither exhaustive nor binding and the Authority reserves the right at its absolute discretion to amend it at the time of issue of any further notices or at any other time. The publication of this notice in no way obliges the Authority to commence any competitive tender process. The Authority is not / shall not be liable for any costs incurred by those expressing an interest in participating in this market engagement exercise. Any contracts are subject to the relevant legal and Cabinet Office controls and policies. The Authority reserves the right to source items included through other means (e.g. an existing contract or framework).

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05867b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029364-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - open competition
Tender Suitability
SME
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

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£270,000 £100K-£500K
Lots Value
£270,000 £100K-£500K
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
1 May 20266 days to go
Future Notice Date
14 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
18 Jun 2026 - 18 Jun 2031 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE
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
Not specified

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

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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