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Legal Advice for Employment Tribunal

Velindre University NHS Trust

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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08 Oct 2026 at 09:52

UK5 - Transparency Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Velindre University NHS Trust is procuring specialist employment law advice and representation for an ongoing Employment Tribunal case. The work includes legal advice, strategic case management, support with witness evidence and documentation, advice on legal risks and procedure, and preparation for Tribunal proceedings. The requirement is specific to the Trust’s existing case, rather than general employment-law support. Services are delivered in Wales. This is a single requirement, with the legal work focused on supporting the Trust through the proceedings and managing the case as it develops.

The contract has been awarded directly to Bates Wells, which had already advised on the case; the Trust cited continuity and the firm’s established knowledge of the matter as its reason for the direct award. The award is recorded as pending. The award value is £500,000 excluding VAT (£600,000 including VAT). The initial contract period runs from 26 October 2026 to 25 October 2027, with an option to extend by up to a further 12 months in two six-month periods, subject to performance, continuing need and Trust approval. The award date is not stated. The direct award was justified on the grounds that changing provider could duplicate work, increase costs and delay proceedings; a legal services exemption was also cited. There is one lot.

For suppliers considering comparable future work for Velindre University NHS Trust, this award shows demand for substantial, specialist employment litigation support tied to an active Tribunal case. A credible provider would need strong employment law and Tribunal experience, the ability to manage a complex case strategically, and capacity to support witness evidence, documentation and preparation for hearings. The Trust’s stated rationale also makes continuity important: familiarity with the case history, chronology, people involved and advice already given can reduce duplicated effort and disruption. Suppliers would need to demonstrate reliable case management and the ability to respond as evidence, witnesses, hearings or Tribunal directions evolve. The direct award indicates that established case knowledge was central to this decision, rather than a comparison of competing bids.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Legal Advice for Employment Tribunal

Notice Description

Provision of specialist employment law advice and support for an ongoing Employment Tribunal matter on behalf of Velindre University NHS Trust. The contract covers legal advice, strategic case management, support with witness evidence and documentation, advice on legal risks and procedural matters, and preparation for Tribunal proceedings. The contract is being awarded directly to Bates Wells to ensure continuity of service and maintain access to specialist knowledge already established through previous involvement with the case.

Procurement Information

Justification: Bates Wells has already provided legal advice on the matter and possesses detailed knowledge of the background, chronology, individuals involved and advice previously given. Changing provider at this stage would result in duplication of effort, additional costs and delays to ongoing Tribunal proceedings.- Legal Services Exemption

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-07835d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/095028-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
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

79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Oct 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
26 Oct 2026 - 25 Oct 2027 6-12 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Velindre University NHS Trust
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
CARDIFF
Postcode
CF14 3QZ
Postcode Area
Cardiff
Country
Wales
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL5 South East Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL52 Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Cardiff
Electoral Ward
Heath
Westminster Constituency
Cardiff North

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

Bates Wells

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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