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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 01:00

OJEU - F1 - Prior Information Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Scottish Government is developing a new legal service called Independent Legal Representation (ILR) for certain complainers in sexual offence cases in Scotland. The service arises from reforms in the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform (Scotland) Act 2025 and will build on the Government’s previous and continuing work to develop ILR. The requirement is for legal services covering independent representation in these cases, including legal advice and representation within the service model being developed. Delivery is intended to support eligible complainers across Scotland. The work is classified as legal services and is relevant to law firms, legal practices and other organisations with experience of criminal justice, victims’ rights and sensitive sexual offence casework.

This is a planning-stage Request for Information (RFI), intended to test the Scottish Government’s planning assumptions and gather market information to shape the future service specification, sourcing strategy, procurement approach and commercial arrangements. The buyer currently intends to use an open procurement process, but has made no final decision on the approach. Responses will also help assess the market’s capacity and capability to deliver the service. The buyer’s indicative expectation is that a future notice will be published on 16 November 2026; this is a planned date, not a tender deadline. The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement and falls under the legal basis of Directive 2014/24/EU.

This planning exercise will suit established legal service providers able to advise and represent complainers in sexual offence cases, work within Scotland’s criminal justice system and handle highly sensitive matters with appropriate independence, confidentiality and safeguarding. Relevant suppliers are likely to include solicitors’ firms, legal partnerships and specialist organisations with experience in victims’ rights, sexual offence proceedings and trauma-informed client support. Providers should be prepared to explain their available legal expertise, staffing model, geographic reach across Scotland, capacity to support eligible complainers and approach to consistent service delivery. The RFI is particularly useful for organisations that want to influence the emerging specification and commercial model by sharing practical evidence about market capability, delivery risks and workable service arrangements.

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-r6ebe6-0000843155
Publication Source
Public Contracts Scotland
Latest Notice
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564777
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
OJEU - F1 - Prior Information 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 20264 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

Notice Documents

  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/NoticeDownload/DownloadDocument.aspx?id=SEP564777&idx=1
    18th September 2026 - Request for Information (RFI)
  • https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=SEP564777
    Independent Legal Representation for Complainers in Sexual Offence Cases in Scotland - 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.

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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