Tender

External Legal Services Framework

SCOTTISH SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

12 May 2026 at 00:00

Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Social Services Council has initiated a procurement process for an "External Legal Services Framework" to furnish them with legal advice and representation, especially concerning fitness to practise panel investigations and related legal matters. This opportunity is issued as an open procedure with the tender stage currently active and invites multi-supplier participation to ensure efficient and conflict-free service provision. Located in Dundee, the procurement process is under the guidance of the Scottish Social Services Council, with an anticipated maximum value of £500,000. Interested suppliers must submit their tenders electronically by 12 June 2026, with the contract awards expected to commence on 16 June 2026. This tender serves the 'Social protection' industry category and encompasses CPV codes like 79110000 and others relevant to legal services.

This tender represents a substantial business opportunity for firms specialising in legal services, especially those experienced in administrative and regulatory law, appeals, and hearings. Suitable businesses would benefit from providing comprehensive legal support to a public-sector client, addressing diverse legal needs from governance to compliance. The framework's multi-supplier model encourages small to medium-sized enterprises to compete, potentially offering stability over its proposed framework period. Companies are advised to ensure timely electronic submission and strive for high-quality proposals to align with the tender's award criteria focused on 80% quality and 20% price considerations.

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Notice Title

External Legal Services Framework

Notice Description

A multi supplier ranked framework to provide legal advice and representation to the SSSC, primarily in relation to fitness to practise panel investigations and hearings but also in relation to other matters and proceedings associated with our regulatory function. These include a range of subjects such as prospects of success at appeals/judicial review, equality implications, rehabilitation of offenders legislation, and general administrative and regulatory legal topics. The external advisors also provide quality control and assurance checks for fitness to practise. The Legal and Corporate Governance department may also have a requirement for additional support where required due to time pressures or where expert advice is needed that cannot be provided by the internal legal team. This will include advice on information governance and governance/compliance matters as well as our statutory functions under the Regulation of Care (Sc) Act 2001. A minimum of 2 ranked suppliers will reduce the risk of any conflict of interest around individual cases.

Lot Information

Lot 1

A multi supplier ranked framework to provide legal advice and representation to the SSSC, primarily in relation to fitness to practise panel investigations and hearings but also in relation to other matters and proceedings associated with our regulatory function. These include a range of subjects such as prospects of success at appeals/judicial review, equality implications, rehabilitation of offenders legislation, and general administrative and regulatory legal topics. The external advisors also provide quality control and assurance checks for fitness to practise. The Legal and Corporate Governance department may also have a requirement for additional support where required due to time pressures or where expert advice is needed that cannot be provided by the internal legal team. This will include advice on information governance and governance/compliance matters as well as our statutory functions under the Regulation of Care (Sc) Act 2001. A minimum of 2 ranked suppliers will reduce the risk of any conflict of interest around individual cases.. The maximum value of the Framework is not anticipated to exceed 500,000 GBP exclusive of VAT for the full life of the framework inclusive of the optional extension period. Actual value of spend over the life of the framework will be dependent upon requirement and therefore is not guaranteed

Renewal: The SSSC may extend the framework agreement by one (1) x twelve (12) month period.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555628
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice
Procurement Type
Framework
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
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

79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services

79140000 - Legal advisory and information services

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
12 May 20262 days ago
Submission Deadline
12 Jun 20264 weeks to go
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
May 2030

Notice Status

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

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
SCOTTISH SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DUNDEE
Postcode
DD1 4NY
Post Town
Dundee
Country
Scotland

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLM Scotland
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLM0 Eastern Scotland
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLM03 Angus and Dundee City
Delivery Location
TLM Scotland

Local Authority
Dundee City
Electoral Ward
West End
Westminster Constituency
Dundee Central

Further Information

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555628
    External Legal Services Framework - A multi supplier ranked framework to provide legal advice and representation to the SSSC, primarily in relation to fitness to practise panel investigations and hearings but also in relation to other matters and proceedings associated with our regulatory function. These include a range of subjects such as prospects of success at appeals/judicial review, equality implications, rehabilitation of offenders legislation, and general administrative and regulatory legal topics. The external advisors also provide quality control and assurance checks for fitness to practise. The Legal and Corporate Governance department may also have a requirement for additional support where required due to time pressures or where expert advice is needed that cannot be provided by the internal legal team. This will include advice on information governance and governance/compliance matters as well as our statutory functions under the Regulation of Care (Sc) Act 2001. A minimum of 2 ranked suppliers will reduce the risk of any conflict of interest around individual cases.

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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