---
title: "CORP168 Legal Advice for MARS"
ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b.json"
source: "Contracts Finder"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST"
published: "2026-08-05"
---

# CORP168 Legal Advice for MARS

Buyer: SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b

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## Summary

The buying organisation, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, has completed the procurement process titled "CORP168 Legal Advice for MARS", which falls under the legal services industry category. This call-off contract was awarded to Freeths LLP, following a selective procurement method through a framework agreement. The tender is set in the South West region of the United Kingdom, with essential milestones including a tender period end date of 24th June 2026 and a contract period from 3rd July 2026 to 2nd July 2027. The awarded contract, valued at £33,000, was formalised on 4th August 2026, and involves providing independent legal advice required for a Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS). The procurement stage has reached completion, with the award now having active status as of 5th August 2026.

This tender presents promising opportunities for law firms, particularly those with expertise in employment law, looking to expand their portfolio in public sector contracts. The call-off framework allows the supplier to streamline the legal advice process, providing opportunities for growth and efficiency. Given the selective procurement method, businesses with a proven track record in offering comprehensive legal services to the health sector would be well-suited to such opportunities. Additionally, the procurement is noted to be suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), offering an accessible entry point into government contracting.

## Notice

A Mutually Agreed Resignation Scheme (MARS) is a form of voluntary severance, designed to enable employees to leave their employment voluntarily in return for a severance payment. Critical to the MARS is for the employee to seek independent legal advice which is paid for by the Trust. The Trust has awarded a call-off contract with a single provider using an agreed pricing structure which limits duplication and saves time and money whilst still achieving the required level of independence.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Contracts Finder |
| Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d9c4f5b1-f48d-4ad0-a25a-c91a1138ef58 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Selective |
| Procurement method details | Call-off from a framework agreement |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 5 Aug 2026 |
| Submission deadline | 24 Jun 2026 |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 3 Aug 2026 |
| Contract period | 2 Jul 2026 - 2 Jul 2027 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £33,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £33,000 |
| 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 | SOMERSET NHS FOUNDATION TRUST |
| Locality | TAUNTON |
| Post town | Taunton |
| Postcode | TA1 4DY |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLK6 North Somerset, Somerset and Dorset |
| ITL 3 | TLK62 Somerset |
| Local authority | Somerset |
| Electoral ward | Bishop's Hull & Taunton West |
| Westminster constituency | Taunton and Wellington |
| Delivery location | TLK South West (England) |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | FREETHS |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79100000 - Legal services

## Release History

- 5 Aug 2026 at 10:53 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d9c4f5b1-f48d-4ad0-a25a-c91a1138ef58

## Documents

- https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d9c4f5b1-f48d-4ad0-a25a-c91a1138ef58
  5th August 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-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-e1a8026e-ba8e-4991-ad0c-332290f65a8b.json.