This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Award

25 Jun 2026 at 11:15

Tender

28 Jan 2026 at 14:01

Planning

08 Dec 2025 at 17:13

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government has successfully completed the procurement process for appointing a legal adviser, Clifford Chance LLP, to support its entry into the sterling public bond market. This contract, valued at £900,000, focuses on providing legal services essential for a debut public bond issuance. The procurement process was concluded with an active contract awarded as of 18th June 2026. The initiative is part of a broader £1.5 billion bond programme aimed at diversifying funding sources and enhancing fiscal sustainability. This procurement falls under the services category and pertains to legal services. The contract involves the buyer's headquarters located at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh, serving the UKM region. The procurement method utilised was an open procedure, signifying transparency and broad opportunity for competition.

This tender provides significant opportunities for businesses, particularly large legal firms with expertise in financial and legal consultancy related to public bond issuance. Companies can leverage this opportunity to establish or strengthen their presence in the public sector consulting space. As Scotland aims to bolster its fiscal profile and diversify its capital funding sources, there is potential for long-term partnership and further consultancy opportunities for businesses capable of navigating the complexities of public market regulations. This opportunity is ideally suited for enterprises with proven experience in managing large-scale financial transactions and adherence to stringent regulatory and legal requirements. The successful legal advisor will play a crucial role in shaping Scotland's fiscal strategies, presenting ample opportunities for growth and influence in the financial sector.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Title

DFSED-SG Bond Legal Counsel

Notice Description

The Scottish Government has appointed an external service providers to assist in accessing the sterling public bond market. From 2016, the Scottish Government's annual limit for Capital Borrowing has been GBP 450 million, with a cumulative limit of GBP 3 billion. The 2023 Fiscal Framework review increased these limits in line with inflation, and the Scottish Government has been reviewing its capital borrowing policy options under these new limits. On 4 December 2024, the Scottish Government published a memorandum detailing the outcome of the initial due diligence and its updated capital borrowing policy in the context of the revised Fiscal Framework limits. The key objectives for the issuance of bonds includes diversifying capital funding sources, enhancing fiscal sustainability, raising Scotland's profile among financial investors, and developing institutional fiscal discipline. On 12th November 2025 Moody's Investors Service and Standard & Poor's assigned inaugural credit ratings for the Scottish Government of Aa3/AA respectively, both with a stable outlook. The strength and diversity of Scotland's economy, its strong institutional framework, as well as the Scottish Government's prudent financial management and low levels of debt are factors highlighted in the agencies' reports. A GBP 1.5 billion programme is expected to commence over the next parliament, with a debut benchmark bond issuance currently anticipated for late 2026 or early 2027, subject to the outcome of the Scottish Parliament election, in-year borrowing requirements and market conditions.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The Legal Adviser will provide SG with support on all relevant legal and regulatory requirements related to a debut public listed bond issue.

Renewal: To be confirmed pre-contract award.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05f137
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059807-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

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
£1,800,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£900,000 £500K-£1M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Jun 2026Today
Submission Deadline
27 Feb 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
19 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
17 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
GLASGOW
Postcode
G2 8LU
Post Town
Glasgow
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
Leith
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh North and Leith

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

CLIFFORD CHANCE

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.

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