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PS26297 - The Provision of Legal Services to Support HF Employment Tribunal

UK RESEARCH & INNOVATION

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

19 Oct 2026 at 11:03

UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Summary of the contracting process

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) bought legal services to support HF Employment Tribunal. The work is classified as legal services and is delivered in the United Kingdom. UK Shared Business Services Ltd managed the procurement on UKRI’s behalf. This is a focused legal support requirement connected to an employment tribunal, rather than a general legal services appointment. The contract was awarded to Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. The procurement was arranged through the Legal Panel for Public Sector framework, which provides the route through which UKRI selected the legal services supplier. The requirement is relevant to legal practices with experience supporting public-sector clients in employment tribunal matters and the capacity to provide that support across the UK.

The procurement is complete and the contract is active. UKRI made a direct award under the Legal Panel for Public Sector framework, without a competitive call for bids. Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP was selected for the single lot. The contract was signed on 29 September 2026 and runs from 29 September 2026 to 24 September 2027. Its value is £49,500 excluding VAT (£59,400 including VAT). The procurement was below the relevant threshold. No evaluation criteria or supplier eligibility requirements are stated in the available process details. The award covers legal services for HF Employment Tribunal support, and the contract period indicates the duration of this particular engagement.

For legal firms that did not win, this award shows UKRI’s demand for specialist legal support relating to HF Employment Tribunal, procured through the Legal Panel for Public Sector framework. A credible competitor would need demonstrable employment tribunal expertise, experience advising or representing public-sector organisations, and the ability to provide responsive support across the UK. Familiarity with public-sector framework arrangements would also be commercially relevant, since UKRI used an existing panel route and made a direct award rather than running a new competition. The appointment was made to a large law firm, indicating that the buyer selected an established provider for this requirement. Firms whose practice covers employment disputes and tribunal representation, and which can deliver focused support within a framework-based public procurement arrangement, are best aligned with this buyer’s demonstrated need.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

PS26297 - The Provision of Legal Services to Support HF Employment Tribunal

Notice Description

***** THIS IS A CONTRACT DETAILS NOTICE, NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION ***** This procurement is being concluded as a direct award under the Legal Panel for Public Sector - RM6374 Framework

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078a7c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098355-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK7 - Contract Details Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Below threshold - award under framework
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
£49,500 Under £100K

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Sep 2026 - 24 Sep 2027 6-12 months
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 & 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

Eversheds Sutherland (International) 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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