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Utility Regulator - Legal Services Framework Agreement

Utility Regulator

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

23 Jul 2026 at 16:36

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Utility Regulator, supported by CPD – Supplies and Services Division, is procuring a legal services framework to support its in-house legal team. Work covers four areas: energy, utilities and water law across the UK; regulatory, European, public, administrative and competition law across the UK; commercial, corporate, contract, property, employment and information law specific to Northern Ireland; and Northern Ireland civil litigation and dispute resolution. Services include legal advice, practical support and, where appropriate, representation. The work will support the Utility Regulator’s activities in Northern Ireland and UK-wide regulatory and utilities matters. The framework includes legal documentation, certification, dispute resolution, mediation, arbitration, judicial review, enforcement, procurement, environmental and renewable energy advice.

The procurement has reached tender: the buyer invited offers through an open procedure, with electronic tenders submitted via eTendersNI. Questions had to be submitted by 17 August 2026 at 15:00, and tenders by 24 August 2026 at 15:00. The intended award decision date is 2 October 2026. The framework is planned for 20 October 2026 to 19 October 2029, with an option to extend to 19 October 2030. Its estimated value is £4,000,000 excluding VAT (£4,800,000 including VAT), demand-led with no guaranteed volume. Lot values excluding VAT are £1,250,000, £1,250,000, £1,000,000 and £500,000 respectively. Up to five suppliers may be appointed to each lot, with ranked call-offs and further competitions. Evaluation is 70% quality and 30% price.

This opportunity suits law firms and legal practices with established teams covering regulated energy, utilities and water, public and administrative law, competition, European and international law, commercial and corporate matters, property, employment, information law, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Bidders can apply for one or more lots, but firms seeking multiple appointments must demonstrate sufficient capacity to deliver all awarded work concurrently. The strongest fit will be suppliers able to show relevant proposed-team experience, clear methods for matching specialists to assignments, sound service delivery and contingency arrangements, and the ability to respond to changing business needs. Each lot requires a practising certificate, quality standards and Cyber Essentials Plus. Hourly rates form the price assessment, while work may be allocated by ranking or further competition.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Utility Regulator - Legal Services Framework Agreement

Notice Description

The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (Utility Regulator) is seeking to put in place a framework for legal advice to support the in-house team. The framework consists of four Lots. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the requirements of this Framework Agreement. The overall estimated framework value is PS4 Million (ex VAT), however you should note the requirement is demand led and the Buyer does not give any guarantee as to the volume of work that will be commissioned under this framework. The Framework Agreement will be valid for a period of 3 years with an option to extend for one further year.

Lot Information

Energy/Water/Utilities Specialist Legal Expertise. General utilities law expertise (UK Wide)

Advice, support and, where appropriate, legal representation in all areas of Energy, Utilities and Water Law, including, but not limited to; Advice on application and interpretation of the requirements of energy law and regulation to include the interpretation of related licence conditions that are of direct relevance to the work of economic regulators and the energy industry in the UK. Advice on application and interpretation of the requirements of water law and regulation including the Water and Sewerage Services in the UK and relevant licences.

Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year.

Regulatory law, European law, Public and administrative law, and competition law (UK Wide)

Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in regulatory, public, administrative and competition law including but not limited to: Advice on European law in particular advice on addressing EU infractions and EU Directives transposition that are of direct relevance to the work of UR and the energy/utilities industries. Advice on interpretation and application of other UK legislation relevant to the regulation of energy and water, including the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 and the Competition Act 1998. Advice on competition powers that economic regulators hold concurrently with the Competition and Markets Authority (functions formerly performed by the Office of Fair Trading/Competition Commission). Advice on energy and water related matters impacted by international law, for example the European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act and cross-border and constitutional law. Advice on environmental law and renewable energy law.

Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year.

Commercial, Corporate and Contract Law; Property Law: and Employment Law and Information Law (NI Specific)

Advice on corporate / commercial law including the Companies Act 2006 and all forms of contractual disputes and potential litigation which need commercial energy contract experts in GB. Advice on EU procurement law. Advice on finance law arrangements for example loan agreements, debentures, share equity issues, debt financing. Advice on insolvency law for example administration, special administration, schemes of arrangement. Advice on NI employment and trade union law. Advice on information law including application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in areas of property law including but not limited to: Disposal, purchase and development of land and property, including development agreements and construction documentation. Compulsory acquisition of land, compensation law and representation at Lands Tribunal.

Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year.

Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution (NI Specific)

Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in areas of civil litigation and dispute including but not limited to: General litigation: Contract disputes, tort claims, judicial reviews. Regulatory enforcement: Legal support in enforcing statutory duties or defending against challenges. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation, arbitration, expert determination. Disclosure and evidence handling. Specialist litigation: Environmental, competition, or procurement-related disputes.

Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069936-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services

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

CPV Codes

75231100 - Law-courts-related administrative services

79100000 - Legal services

79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

79111000 - Legal advisory services

79112000 - Legal representation services

79112100 - Stakeholders representation services

79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£4,000,000 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
23 Jul 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
24 Aug 2026Expired
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Oct 2026 - 19 Oct 2029 3-4 years
Recurrence
2030-07-23

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Utility Regulator
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BELFAST
Postcode
BT2 7AQ
Postcode Area
Northern Ireland
Country
Northern Ireland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLN Northern Ireland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLN0 Northern Ireland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLN06 Belfast
Delivery Location
TLN Northern Ireland
Local Authority
Belfast
Electoral Ward
Central
Westminster Constituency
Belfast South and Mid Down

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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