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Supply of Legal Services 2

Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

AwardUpdate

05 Aug 2026 at 13:26

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Award

27 Jul 2026 at 16:35

UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Tender

17 Apr 2026 at 14:08

UK4 - Tender Notice
Planning

28 Jan 2026 at 19:05

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services established the Supply of Legal Services 2 framework for public sector bodies needing legal advice, representation, documentation, certification and related legal information. The scope covers a comprehensive range of legal specialisms, providing a compliant route for public sector customers to procure legal expertise. The framework can be used by eligible public bodies across the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies, including central government departments, agencies, NHS bodies, councils, police, fire and rescue services, ambulance services, educational establishments, housing associations, charities and other third-sector organisations. It is intended for customers in these categories that existed on 17 April 2026. The framework is suitable for SMEs and voluntary, community and social enterprises.

The procurement is complete following an open procedure. The framework was awarded on 27 July 2026 to DWF Law LLP, Forbes Solicitors LLP, Freeths LLP, Geldards LLP, Sharpe Pritchard LLP and Weightmans LLP. The framework award value is £500 million excluding VAT (£600 million including VAT), with a framework period from 8 August 2026 to 7 August 2030. Evaluation was based on quality at 60%, social value at 10% and price at 30%. Eighteen bids were received, with six suppliers reaching the final stage; one final-stage bid came from an SME. Customers may use direct award, a rapid request for quotation or further competition. Direct award relies on existing framework information, while further competition is required where new pricing, tailored service proposals or qualitative information are needed. A 1% win fee applies to the award.

This opportunity indicates substantial, broad-based demand for legal services across the public sector and a purchasing model that can support both routine and complex requirements. A credible future competitor would need demonstrable capability across relevant legal specialisms, including advisory work, representation, legal documentation and certification, and the capacity to serve multiple public bodies. Suppliers should be able to work within public procurement rules, provide auditable quality and pricing information, and respond through direct awards, rapid quotations or further competitions as appropriate. The evaluation shows that technical quality and social value carry greater weight than price alone, so firms should evidence strong service delivery, public sector understanding and measurable social value. The awarded panel includes large national firms and an SME, indicating scope for different supplier scales.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Supply of Legal Services 2

Notice Description

The purpose of this framework is to establish a panel of qualified legal service providers to deliver a comprehensive range of legal services to public sector bodies. The framework will provide a compliant, efficient, and cost-effective route to procure legal expertise across multiple specialisms.

Planning Information

The purpose of this engagement is to: Understand whether the market can meet our requirements and identify any constraints or opportunities. Gather supplier feedback to ensure specifications are realistic, achievable, and aligned with industry standards. Use insights to determine the most appropriate route to market, framework structure, and commercial model. Provide early visibility of the opportunity to a broad supplier base, supporting fair and open competition. Identify potential risks and innovative solutions early, reducing the likelihood of delays or poor delivery post-award. By engaging with the market at an early stage, we will improve the quality of our tender documents, attract a wider pool of capable suppliers, and ultimately deliver better value for money and service outcomes.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06116b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074201-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Planning, Tender, Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK6 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
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

79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
£500,000,000 £100M-£1B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
22 May 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
27 Feb 2026Expired
Award Date
27 Jul 20264 weeks ago
Contract Period
8 Aug 2026 - 7 Aug 2030 4-5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Kent County Council trading as Procurement Services
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
WEST MALLING
Postcode
ME19 4YT
Postcode Area
Rochester
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ4 Kent
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ46 West Kent
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Tonbridge and Malling
Electoral Ward
Kings Hill
Westminster Constituency
Maidstone and Malling

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
6
Supplier Names

DWF Law LLP

Forbes Solicitors LLP

Freeths LLP

Geldards LLP

Sharpe Pritchard LLP

Weightmans LLP

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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