---
title: "2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Contract Award Notice"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "THE LEGAL AID AGENCY"
published: "2026-01-06"
---

# 2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) Contract Award Notice

Buyer: THE LEGAL AID AGENCY  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400.json)

## Summary

The Legal Aid Agency has completed the award stage of its 2026 Criminal Defence Direct (CDD) contract, a significant procurement in the legal services industry. With an estimated value of £2,950,000, the contract covers multiple regions across the United Kingdom, including London, the North East, and Wales, among others. The procurement was conducted using an open procedure, suitable for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprises (VCSEs). The contract is set to begin on the 1st of February 2026 and will end on the 31st of May 2026. The contract was awarded to The Johnson Partnership and Watson Woodhouse Solicitors, as announced on the 6th of January 2026.

This tender presents considerable opportunities for SMEs specialising in legal services, particularly those with capabilities in criminal defence. Companies operating in the specified regions are well-positioned to benefit from this procurement, as the contract offers substantial service provision over a broad geographical area. The suitability for VCSEs ensures diverse participation, encouraging smaller and socially-oriented businesses to engage in competitive public sector markets. Involvement in such a contract can enhance business growth, offering exposure and potential for long-term engagements with a major governmental authority like The Legal Aid Agency.

## Notice

CDD Contract 2026

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/968e466f-556d-4889-9e32-43eb66e22d9d |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Open |
| Procurement method details | Open procedure (above threshold) |
| Tender suitability | SME, VCSE |
| Awardee scale | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 28 Aug 2025 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 6 Jan 2026 |
| Contract period | 1 Feb 2026 - 31 May 2026 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £2,950,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £2,950,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE LEGAL AID AGENCY |
| Locality | WESTMINSTER |
| Post town | South West London |
| Postcode | SW1H 9AJ |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLI London |
| ITL 2 | TLI3 Inner London - West |
| ITL 3 | TLI35 Westminster and City of London |
| Local authority | Westminster |
| Electoral ward | St James's |
| Westminster constituency | Cities of London and Westminster |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLF East Midlands (England), TLG West Midlands (England), TLI London, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLN Northern Ireland |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | THE JOHNSON PARTNERSHIP; WATSON WOODHOUSE SOLICITORS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security

### Codes

- 79100000 - Legal services

## Release History

- 6 Jan 2026 at 15:01 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/968e466f-556d-4889-9e32-43eb66e22d9d

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/968e466f-556d-4889-9e32-43eb66e22d9d
  6th January 2026 - Awarded contract notice on Contracts Finder

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1e582b70-0a73-4a1d-a493-6e6a8be2d400.json.