--- title: "Legal Services Framework" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-043752" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-043752" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043752.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043752.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION" published: "2026-01-27" --- # Legal Services Framework Buyer: CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-043752 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-043752) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043752.json) ## Summary The Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), a public body based in Sedgefield, UK, with postal code TS21 3FH, has completed the tender process for its Legal Services Framework. The procurement was initiated under the open procedure and aimed to appoint several experienced contractors to assist CPI’s internal legal team. The framework was divided into eight lots, with each covering different legal service needs such as Construction and Engineering, Corporate, Procurement and Competition Law, among others. The procurement category falls under legal services, with a total estimated value of £300,000. This comprehensive framework agreement allows CPI to secure up to three contractors per lot, ensuring robust support across various complex legal areas. This framework presents significant opportunities for legal firms specializing in complex and specialised areas such as intellectual property litigation, construction law, and compliance with public procurement and competition regulations. With the award of contracts to firms like Muckle LLP, Ward Hadaway LLP, and others, this procurement process underscores CPI's commitment to leveraging external expertise for its diverse and evolving legal needs. Legal firms with strong capabilities in providing innovative, cost-effective, and pragmatic legal solutions, particularly those with experience in public sector engagements, are well-suited to participate in such tenders and align with CPI's demand for high-standard legal services that support their complex technological and regulatory projects. ## Notice CPI are looking to appoint several suitably experienced Contractor's to a Framework to assist our internal legal team, in giving advice across the organisation on various matters when they arise. CPI's legal team works across highly complex and evolving areas of technology. At times of increased workload, in specialist or in higher risk areas external legal assistance may be required. The Framework will consist of 8 lots, which are listed below. CPI are looking to appoint a minimum of 1 Contractor up to a maximum of 3 Contractors per lot. The lots are as follows: Lot 1 - Construction and Engineering (Contentious , Non-Contentious) Lot 2 - Corporate Lot 3 - Procurement, Subsidy Control and Competition Law Lot 4 - Commercial and Intellectual Property Litigation Lot 5 - Commercial and Technology (Non-Contentious) Lot 6 - Property Law (Contentious, Non-Contentious) Lot 7 - Employment (non-contentious) Lot 8 - Safety, Health, Environment, Operational Regulation ### Lot Information Lot 1 - Construction and Engineering (Contentious and Non-Contentious) CPI may require external advice on specialist forms of engineering contracts, for example in relation to the design and/or build of industrial and/or process plant under the NEC/JCT suite of contracts and/or similar industry standard forms. This includes legal advice in relation to practical aspects of their management, which is key to how such forms of contract work. A practical understanding of the day-to-day operation of these specialist standard forms of agreement "on the ground" and in an engineering context is key, as is a pragmatic and creative approach to problem solving and dispute avoidance / resolution. CPI is often engaged with large infrastructure projects with elements of construction which range from alteration or refit to current premises (for example converting offices to laboratory space) to full New Build of industrial and research facilities. We regularly use JCT and NEC standard forms of contract. As such we may require advice relating to construction and engineering works. Renewal: On expiry of the framework the services will be re procured. Lot 2 - Corporate CPI may sometimes require legal input into corporate matters for example relating to its group structure. CPI's subsidiary CPI Enterprises Limited invests in SMEs in complementary areas and advice on the legal construct of those investments may also be sought. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. Lot 3 - Procurement, Subsidy Control, and Competition Law As a part publicly funded organisation CPI is subject to the public procurement and subsidy control regimes. It has dedicated legal, procurement and compliance teams whose roles are to ensure regulatory compliance in these areas and to ensure that grant funding obligations are complied with. CPI may require specialist assistance with advice on public procurement law and subsidy control matters from time to time, including providing formal opinions on grant funded projects and dealing with any challenges or issues. CPI may also require specialist external advice on entering certain arrangements and/or agreements with collaborative partners to ensure that we comply with UK and EU Competition Law. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. Lot 4 - Commercial and Intellectual Property Litigation Whilst CPI tries to avoid litigation wherever possible, CPI requires advice and representation from time to time on commercial litigation matters. Because CPI often works on very complex scientific and technical research collaboration projects, there may be occasions where a partner's desired outcomes are not possible for technical or scientific reasons, as such we may require external legal advice in relation to any resulting concerns and/or withheld payments. CPI also needs to guard and protect both its partners', and its own, IP and confidential information, and may use external providers to robustly enforce and protect such rights and information where necessary to do so. Please note that this lot specifically excludes property disputes and litigation under Lot 6 and employment disputes and litigation under Lot 7. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. Lot 5 - Commercial and Technology (Non-contentious) CPI may from time to time require external legal support in relation to the drafting and negotiation of business contracts, collaboration agreements and technology and IP licensing arrangements with industry, academia, and other research institutions, nationally and internationally. However, most of this work is dealt with day-to-day by CPI's in-house lawyers. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. Lot 6 - Property Law (Non-contentious and Contentious) CPI currently owns premises at NETpark, Sedgefield, Central Park, Darlington and Glasgow, Scotland and leases and licenses property at Wilton, Newton Aycliffe, Newcastle, Manchester and Liverpool. There is a realistic likelihood of further sites or adjustments to existing sites coming on stream during the framework. CPI also licenses and leases space in some of its premises to customers and guidance may be sought on these matters from time to time. We may require legal input on all property related matters. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. Lot 7 - Employment (Non-contentious and Contentious) CPI's HR department and in-house legal team deal with the majority of employment matters within the business but may from time to time require external legal support in relation to reviewing standard employment documents and procedures, in conducting employee related procedures (such as disciplinary, grievance and redundancy), in dealing with TUPE and related transfer issues, and in avoiding, settling or defending Employment Tribunal claims. A pragmatic and commercial approach is required. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. Lot 8 - Safety Health Environment and Operational Regulatory CPI operates technical facilities in a diverse range of industrial areas including production facilities and may from time to time need advice on environmental and regulatory matters, such as novel food, feed and alcohol production regulation, production of medical devices, GMP requirements and other guidance for pharmaceutical production facilities, regulation around the Human Tissue Act, advice relating to testing devices and other substances on humans and animals, and general health and safety matters. CPI may require advice and support on non-contentious health and safety matters and may require external legal advice and representation in respect of any contentious or regulatory enforcement matters. CPI also from time to time may require legal advice and support on non-contentious, contentious, and regulatory environmental matters; and on legislative and regulatory matters relating to the day-to-day operations of its facilities including for example legislation around pharmaceutical and food production. Renewal: After expiry of the framework. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006911-2026 | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large, SME | | All stages | Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 27 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | 4 Mar 2024 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 13 Oct 2024 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £300,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £300,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | CENTRE FOR PROCESS INNOVATION | | Additional buyers | EUROPEAN UNION | | Locality | SEDGEFIELD | | Post town | Cleveland | | Postcode | TS21 3FH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) | | ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear | | ITL 3 | TLC41 Durham | | Local authority | County Durham | | Electoral ward | Sedgefield | | Westminster constituency | Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor | | Delivery location | TLC1 Tees Valley and Durham | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 6 | | Supplier names | CLARKE WILLMOTT; DAVITT JONES BOULD; DWF LAW; HILL DICKINSON; MUCKLE; WARD HADAWAY | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### 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 ## Release History - 27 Jan 2026 at 09:33 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/006911-2026 - 5 Feb 2024 at 16:45 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003764-2024 ## Notice URLs - https://in-tendhost.co.uk/uk-cpi/ - https://www.uk-cpi.com ## 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-h6vhtk-043752. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043752.json.