Award

Legal On-line Research Services

CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process, led by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), involves the acquisition of legal online research services, specifically licensing access to Westlaw UK. This contract was awarded to Thomson Reuters, amounting to £2,500,000. COPFS, a national agency operating out of Edinburgh, issued this voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice on behalf of the Legal Information Network for Scotland (LINETS). The process follows a limited procurement method without prior publication due to the unique positioning of Thomson Reuters as the sole provider of these services. The contract was signed on 28 February 2024 and is currently active, with services intended for the Edinburgh Crown Office. The industry category falls under social protection, as classified by COFOG.

This procurement presents notable opportunities for large enterprises capable of providing or competing in the supply of specialised legal research services, despite the unique constraint here with Thomson Reuters' proprietary products. Such contracts are pivotal for organisations aiming to solidify their footprint in the legal services sector, offering potential for growth by aligning with governmental digital transformation efforts. Businesses focusing on law, IT service provisioning, or those that offer complementary services to Westlaw UK may find indirect benefits through collaboration or sub-contracting opportunities.

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Notice Title

Legal On-line Research Services

Notice Description

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on behalf of Legal Information Network for Scotland (LINETS) have entered into a contract with Thomson Reuters. This is for access for up to 1800 licenses to Westlaw UK. This is a vast library of consolidated primary and secondary law combined with expert guidance. These products are either solely owned or held under licence by Thomson Reuters and not available elsewhere in the marketplace.

Lot Information

Lot 1

This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on behalf of Legal Information Network for Scotland (LINETS) have entered into a contract with Thomson Reuters. This is for access for up to 1800 licenses to Westlaw UK. This is a vast library of consolidated primary and secondary law combined with expert guidance. These products are either solely owned or held under licence by Thomson Reuters and not available elsewhere in the marketplace.

Procurement Information

Under Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 33(b) (ii)competition is absent for technical reasons. These products are either solely owned or held under licence by Thomson Reuters and not available elsewhere in the marketplace. Thomson Reuters do not offer out their online products to other companies.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000759737
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553433
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F3 - Contract Award Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Limited
Procurement Method Details
Award procedure without prior publication of a call for competition
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services


CPV Codes

75230000 - Justice services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£2,500,000 £1M-£10M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
8 Apr 20262 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
28 Feb 20242 years ago
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
CROWN OFFICE AND PROCURATOR FISCAL SERVICE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
EDINBURGH
Postcode
EH1 1LA
Post Town
Edinburgh
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM1 East Central Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM13 City of Edinburgh
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
City of Edinburgh
Electoral Ward
City Centre
Westminster Constituency
Edinburgh East and Musselburgh

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

THOMSON REUTERS

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR502036
    Legal On-line Research Services - This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on behalf of Legal Information Network for Scotland (LINETS) have entered into a contract with Thomson Reuters. This is for access for up to 1800 licenses to Westlaw UK. This is a vast library of consolidated primary and secondary law combined with expert guidance. These products are either solely owned or held under licence by Thomson Reuters and not available elsewhere in the marketplace.
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=APR553433
    Legal On-line Research Services - This is a voluntary ex ante transparency (VEAT) notice. The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) on behalf of Legal Information Network for Scotland (LINETS) have entered into a contract with Thomson Reuters. This is for access for up to 1800 licenses to Westlaw UK. This is a vast library of consolidated primary and secondary law combined with expert guidance. These products are either solely owned or held under licence by Thomson Reuters and not available elsewhere in the marketplace.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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