Notice Information
Notice Title
Legal Support Services and Damage Claims
Notice Description
Introduction This document constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) issued as part of an early market engagement exercise and does not form part of a formal tender or call for competition. The purpose of this RFI is to engage with the market to seek insight and feedback on the proposed scope of services, lotting structure, pricing mechanisms, and the draft performance management framework, including Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). Cadent requires legal support services to process and manage civil claims arising from interactions with third parties. These claims relate to recovery of losses incurred by Cadent in the normal course of operations. The service provider will be responsible for efficiently progressing these matters in accordance with relevant legislation, the Civil Procedure Rules, and Cadent's internal processes. Proposed Lotting Structure * Lot 1 - Legal Support Services * Lot 2 - Damage Claims Cadent are seeking feedback from the supply chain whether this service should remain as a single contract or be split into two separate contracts. Performance Management Monthly and quarterly KPI's will be used to assess activity, financial recovery, legal progression, timeliness, compliance, reporting, and collaboration. A monthly meeting will be held with case managers and senior partners where updates on cases must be provided. Service Credits may apply when the provider fails to meet one or more KPIs. Cadent are seeking feedback from the supply chain on the KPI categories listed above and whether there are any issues or feedback to incorporate into our strategy. Proposed Commercial Model Cadent are seeking feedback from the supply chain on the optimal commercial model for this type of service to incorporate into our strategy. | 2 PR-CT-F-043 Request for Information V-001, 21.11.2024 Lot 1 - Legal Support Services: Draft Scope of Requirements The portfolio of claims to be managed under this contract includes, but is not limited to: * Recovery of contractual sums - including claims related to Connection works, alterations, diversion works, and other operational services. * Theft of Gas Claims - pursued under the Gas Act 1986 and associated license obligations. * Recovery of Sums for Plant Protection Works. * Other miscellaneous invoices covering a range of services. * Recovery from Former Employees - where permitted under employment contract terms. Cadent would require the supplier(s) support in defending claims brought by third parties, including small claims requiring urgent response and general litigation support (pre-action engagement, pleadings, hearings, negotiation). The supplier(s) must demonstrate strong litigation and recovery experience and provide full lifecycle management including merits assessment, litigation strategy, advocacy, ADR, enforcement, and management of both defended and undefended matters. They must maintain a robust case-management system, build strong working relationships, provide strategic advice, and deliver transparent invoices. The supplier(s) must also offer informed, case-specific advice to Cadent on how far each claim should be pursued, based on an evidence-based assessment of the likelihood of recovery. This assessment must consider all relevant indicators, including propensity-to-pay (P2P) scoring, land or asset ownership checks, employment status, and any available financial intelligence. The supplier(s) must advise whether the circumstances justify progressing beyond pre-action to litigation, or whether alternative recovery routes are more appropriate. This includes recommending suitable enforcement options such as Charging Orders where the debt or owns property, Attachment of Earnings Orders where stable employment is confirmed, or other enforcement mechanisms where appropriate. The supplier(s) must present clear recommendations outlining expected recovery prospects, and cost-benefit considerations to support Cadent in making informed decisions regarding case escalation. Pre-Issue Processes To ensure consistency, compliance, and effective case preparation, the supplier(s) must adhere to the following Pre-Action Protocol Requirements: * A Pre-Action Protocol (PAP) Letter of Claim is required only for business-to-individual cases. * For all other cases where PAP does not apply, the supplier(s) must follow the general pre-action requirements of the Civil Procedure Rules. Case Preparation Requirements * For all Theft of Gas referrals, the supplier(s) must obtain and document a propensityto-pay score before taking legal action.| 3 PR-CT-F-043 Request for Information V-001, 21.11.2024 * Tracing Requirements - Where a debtor's address is unknown, unverified or disputed, the supplier(s) must conduct a trace and provide results prior to issuing legal proceedings. Workload Expectations Cadent anticipates the following approximate volumes: * Small Claims: Approximately 30 cases per month, generally falling below PS5,000 in value. * High Value Claims: At any given time, 20-30 ongoing matters with values above the small claim's threshold. A small number of these may range between PS100,000 and PS1-2 million and typically involve asset damage or theft of gas under relevant statutory frameworks. Lot 2 - Damage Claims: Cadent requires legal support services to process and manage recovery of damages to its assets and, on a limited basis, the defence of claims brought against it by third parties. The services primarily relate to negligence-based damage claims, statutory claims, and construction-related disputes, and include both volume-driven lower-value work and complex, high-value matters. Damage Claims is split into two workstreams: 1. Low Value Claims (Below PS10k): a. Debt Recovery b. Full Legal Action 2. High Value Claims (Over PS10k) The supplier(s) would be required to manage and progress claims including, but not limited to: * Claims arising from damage to assets, predominantly founded in negligence. * Claims where third parties have failed to comply with relevant Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance when undertaking works. * Statutory claims against other statutory undertakers pursuant to the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991 (NRSWA). * Claims against occupiers under the Gas Act permitting works to be undertaken resulting in damage. * Limited support in defending claims brought against the contracting authority, typically within the Small Claims Track. Draft Scope of Requirements 1. Low Value Claims - Debt Recovery: * Issuing a First Letter Before Action (LBA) * Issuing a Second Letter Before Action. * Drafting and issuing a Part 36 Offer where appropriate. 2. Low Value Claims - Full Legal Action: * Issuing a First Letter Before Action (LBA) * Issuing proceedings and obtaining judgment in default where applicable. | 4 PR-CT-F-043 Request for Information V-001, 21.11.2024 * Managing defended matters through to resolution, with the contracting authority undertaking telephone mediation. * Enforcement of judgments via High Court Enforcement Officers (HCEO) where required. 3. High Value Claims: * These matters typically fall under the Pre-Action Protocol for Construction and Engineering Disputes. * For context there were 13 high value claims were instructed in the last 12 months, ranging from PS10,500 to PS1.5 million. 4. Defence of Third Party Claims: * The supplier(s) may be required, on a limited basis, to assist with defending claims brought against the contracting authority,including Small Claims matters. 5. Disbursements Workload Expectations Cadent anticipates the following volumes: 1. Low Value Claims (Below PS10k): a. Debt Recovery = Circa 550 claims per annum. b. Full Legal Action = Circa 132 claims per annum. 2. High Value Claims (Over PS10k) = Circa 10-15 per annum.
Planning Information
Request for Information 1. Please provide your contact details for further discussions (email and phone number). 2. Does your company have any feedback or queries on the scope of services detailed? 3. Does your company have any feedback on the lotting structure? 4. Does your company have any preferences in commercial pricing models for this type of works? I.e. hourly, fixed fee. 5. Does your company have any feedback on the suggested KPI areas detailed and how you work with KPIs in practice? 6. Is your company a national provider? If not, please confirm which areas you operate in. Next Steps Cadent Gas Limited may hold a supplier pre-engagement call after submission of RFI responses. Please contact Arman.anowar1@cadentgas.com
Notice Details
Publication & Lifecycle
- Open Contracting ID
- ocds-h6vhtk-067af2
- Publication Source
- Find A Tender Service
- Latest Notice
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030539-2026
- 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
- Not specified
- 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
- Not specified
- Lots Value
- Not specified
- Awards Value
- Not specified
- Contracts Value
- Not specified
Notice Dates
- Publication Date
- 1 Apr 20262 days ago
- Submission Deadline
- Not specified
- Future Notice Date
- 10 Apr 20266 days to go
- Award Date
- Not specified
- Contract Period
- 30 Sep 2026 - 1 Oct 2029 3-4 years
- Recurrence
- Not specified
Notice Status
- Tender Status
- Planning
- Lots Status
- Planning
- Awards Status
- Not Specified
- Contracts Status
- Not Specified
Buyer & Supplier
Contracting Authority (Buyer)
- Main Buyer
- CADENT GAS 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
- COVENTRY
- Postcode
- CV7 9JU
- Post Town
- Coventry
- Country
- England
-
- Major Region (ITL 1)
- TLG West Midlands (England)
- Basic Region (ITL 2)
- TLG1 Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Warwickshire
- Small Region (ITL 3)
- TLG13 Warwickshire CC
- Delivery Location
- TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLH East (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England)
-
- Local Authority
- Rugby
- Electoral Ward
- Revel and Binley Woods
- Westminster Constituency
- Rugby
Further Information
Notice Documents
-
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030539-2026
1st April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030508-2026
1st April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender -
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/030466-2026
1st April 2026 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender
Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)
View full OCDS Record for this contracting process
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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Proposed Commercial Model Cadent are seeking feedback from the supply chain on the optimal commercial model for this type of service to incorporate into our strategy. | 2 PR-CT-F-043 Request for Information V-001, 21.11.2024 Lot 1 - Legal Support Services: Draft Scope of Requirements The portfolio of claims to be managed under this contract includes, but is not limited to: * Recovery of contractual sums - including claims related to Connection works, alterations, diversion works, and other operational services. * Theft of Gas Claims - pursued under the Gas Act 1986 and associated license obligations. * Recovery of Sums for Plant Protection Works. * Other miscellaneous invoices covering a range of services. * Recovery from Former Employees - where permitted under employment contract terms. 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The supplier(s) must advise whether the circumstances justify progressing beyond pre-action to litigation, or whether alternative recovery routes are more appropriate. This includes recommending suitable enforcement options such as Charging Orders where the debt or owns property, Attachment of Earnings Orders where stable employment is confirmed, or other enforcement mechanisms where appropriate. The supplier(s) must present clear recommendations outlining expected recovery prospects, and cost-benefit considerations to support Cadent in making informed decisions regarding case escalation. 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