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Independent Legal Representation for Complainers in Sexual Offence Cases in Scotland

Scottish Government

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

18 Sep 2026 at 08:36

Planning Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is planning a new independent legal representation service for certain complainers in sexual offence cases in Scotland. The service arises from reforms introduced by the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 and is intended to provide legal advice and representation to eligible complainers. The requirement covers legal advisory, legal representation and related legal information services, including independent representation in sexual offence proceedings. Delivery is across Scotland. The procurement is being developed as a single requirement, with the Scottish Government seeking market insight to shape the service specification, sourcing strategy and commercial arrangements. This will suit legal practices and other organisations with relevant expertise in representing complainers and delivering sensitive, publicly commissioned legal services in Scotland.

This process is at the planning stage and is currently a request for information to test the Scottish Government’s planning assumptions and understand the market’s capacity and capability. It is not an invitation to tender. The buyer currently intends to use an open procurement process, but says its approach may change after considering market responses. The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement. A future notice is expected on 16 November 2026. The request for information will help determine the sourcing strategy, service specification, procurement approach and commercial arrangements. No contract value, contract duration, award criteria or response deadline is set out at this stage.

The requirement is likely to suit Scottish legal practices, legal service providers and consortia able to provide independent advice and representation to complainers in sexual offence cases. Relevant preparation would include experience of criminal or victims’ rights law, handling sensitive cases, supporting vulnerable clients and operating with appropriate independence from other participants in proceedings. Suppliers should consider how they would demonstrate suitably qualified legal professionals, robust safeguarding and confidentiality arrangements, reliable client communication and capacity to deliver consistently across Scotland. The buyer is specifically seeking evidence of market capacity and capability, so organisations with established service models, regional coverage and experience of publicly funded or publicly commissioned legal work should be well placed to contribute to the planning and prepare for the later procurement.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Independent Legal Representation for Complainers in Sexual Offence Cases in Scotland

Notice Description

1. The Scottish Government is seeking information to inform a potential procurement exercise for the delivery of a new legal service known as "Independent Legal Representation" (ILR) for certain complainers in sexual offence cases as a result of reforms in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025. 2. This will build on previous and continuing work by the Scottish Government to develop the ILR service. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to further test planning assumptions and create an opportunity to gather information from the market not otherwise available to Government. We intend responses to support future decision-making around the procurement process and service delivery. 3. Please find attached a Request for Information (RFI), which provides further details regarding this requirement.

Lot Information

Lot 1

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather market insight and supplier feedback to inform the development of the sourcing strategy, service specification, procurement approach, and commercial arrangements for the provision of Independent Legal Representation for Complainers in Sexual Offence Cases in Scotland. The information received will be used to help shape the Authority's requirements and assess the capacity and capability of the market to deliver the service. At this stage, the Authority's intention is to undertake an open procurement process; however, no final decisions have been made, and the Authority reserves the right to amend its approach following consideration of the responses received through this RFI.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0774f2
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/088458-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Planning 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

79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

79111000 - Legal advisory services

79112000 - Legal representation services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
18 Sep 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
16 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

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
Postcode Area
Glasgow
Country
Scotland
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM3 West Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM32 Glasgow City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland
Local Authority
Glasgow City
Electoral Ward
Anderston/City/Yorkhill
Westminster Constituency
Glasgow North

Further Information

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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