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PS26230 - Scottish Law Legal Documentation

UK Research and Innovation

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

10 Aug 2026 at 16:49

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation procured Scottish legal documentation and legal support for Innovate UK. The work covers Scottish-law advice and related legal document services, supporting an existing contract held by Mills & Reeve LLP, whose jurisdiction does not cover Scottish law. UK Shared Business Services Ltd managed the procurement as the shared service provider. The services are delivered in the United Kingdom. The requirement is therefore aimed at a specialist legal services provider able to advise on Scottish law and produce or support Scottish legal documentation for a public research and innovation organisation. The procurement falls within the broad legal services category, covering professional advice and associated document work rather than goods, construction or general business support.

This procurement is complete and was awarded to Burness Paull LLP. The contract was signed on 20 July 2026 and runs from 10 August 2026 to 20 August 2026. Its value is £33,250 excluding VAT, or £39,900 including VAT. The buyer used a below-threshold direct award without competition, stating that competition was absent for technical reasons and that only a particular supplier could provide the required services. The contract is active and relates to one completed lot. The award date is 10 August 2026. This was a contract details notice rather than a call for competition, so the procurement records an outcome rather than an opportunity to submit bids.

For competing legal practices, this award demonstrates demand from UK Research and Innovation for focused Scottish-law support alongside an existing legal services contract. A credible future supplier would need demonstrable expertise in Scottish law, the ability to draft and review Scottish legal documentation, and experience supporting public-sector or similarly regulated organisations. It would also need to work effectively with another lead legal adviser, since this requirement arose because the incumbent’s jurisdiction did not cover Scotland. The buyer’s stated technical-reasons justification indicates that distinctive jurisdictional capability and a strong fit with the existing matter were central to supplier selection. Firms with relevant Scottish legal capacity, established quality controls and suitable public-sector delivery experience would be best placed to compete when comparable work returns.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

PS26230 - Scottish Law Legal Documentation

Notice Description

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded without competition due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can supply the goods, services or works required. Brief Description of Requirement Scottish legal document work for Innovate UK. This is linked to an existing contract with Mills & Reeve LLP but Scottish law is out of their jurisdiction so they have asked Burness Paull LLP to assist and provide support on Scottish law

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06e09c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/075920-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - without competition
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
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£33,250 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
10 Aug 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
20 Jul 20261 months ago
Contract Period
10 Aug 2026 - 20 Aug 2026 30 days
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
UK Research and Innovation
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
SWINDON
Postcode
SN2 1FL
Postcode Area
Swindon
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK7 Gloucestershire and Wiltshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK71 Swindon
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Swindon
Electoral Ward
Rodbourne Cheney
Westminster Constituency
Swindon North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

BURNESS PAULL LLP

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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