--- title: "Legal Services" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-04d700" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04d700" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04d700.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04d700.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "APUC LIMITED" published: "2026-03-12" --- # Legal Services Buyer: APUC LIMITED Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-04d700 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-04d700) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04d700.json) ## Summary APUC Limited, a key buyer in the education sector, is actively managing procurement processes for the provision of specialist legal services across Scotland's further and higher education sector. Their recent process, concluded in March 2026, aimed to normalise pricing and provided opportunities across various legal domains, including Property & Estates, People/HR Matters, and Commercial-Business. The processes followed an open procurement method and covered services such as conveyancing, employment contracts, and international human rights law. Significant contracts were signed in December 2025, with a framework agreement being supported by EU funds. APUC has been integral in fostering competitive bidding, with prominent law firms like Thorntons Law LLP and Pinsent Masons LLP participating actively. These procurement initiatives offer substantial growth opportunities for law firms capable of delivering comprehensive legal services to educational institutions. Large firms with strong offerings in diverse legal specialties, including those experienced in charity law, dispute resolution, and academic research compliance, are particularly well-suited to thrive within this framework. SMEs also have opportunities, demonstrated by the competitive bids from smaller entities such as Anderson Strathern LLP. Active performance reports and successful community benefits such as mentorships and local investments highlight the scope for professional development and business expansion within the framework's tenets, allowing participant firms to engage meaningfully within the Scottish legal and educational landscapes. ## Notice APUC were seeking Contractor(s) for the provision of specialist Legal Services for the further and higher education sector in Scotland. APUC are looking to obtain, through this tendering process, price normalisation for all institutions regardless of size and demand. ### Lot Information Commercial-Business Provision of legal services in Commercial-Business specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Procurement & other contract law - Commercial corporate governance - Joint ventures - Banking, finance, insurance and taxation - Company formation - Corporate finance - Bond Issuance, mergers and acquisitions - Competition law - Freedom of Information - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) - Intellectual Property - Technology Law including Software Licensing Agreements - Software Licensing Agreements - Debt collection - Commercial and consumer debt collection Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements One-Stop-Shop Institutions shall be entitled to appoint a single firm to advise and/or represent on all matters of law, which may include some or all of the specialist areas in technical expertise described above. This may involve the provision of a full legal advice service to an Institution or may involve working in partnership with an in-house legal resource, providing supplementary legal resource or expertise from time to time as caseload requires across more than one of the specialisms. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements Property & Estates Provision of legal services in Property & Estates specialism including but not limited to the following: - Conveyancing - Landlord and tenant law - General estate management issues - Planning law - Major building projects - Student accommodation - Construction and Engineering - Environmental law - CONTEST - Martyn's Law Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements. People / HR Matters Provision of legal services in People / HR Matters specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Employment relations - Employment contracts and policies - UK Visas & Immigration matters - Equality and diversity - Organisational change - Health and safety - TUPE - Pension law and advice - Student support and regulatory matters - Data protection - Freedom of Information - Fair Working Practices - Employment dispute resolution including tribunals Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements Charity Provision of legal services in Charity specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Charity law - Fundraising and sponsorship - Constitutional and parliamentary issues (including bulls, charters and statutes) - Charity corporate governance. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements International Provision of legal services in International specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Public International Law - Law of the Sea - International Criminal Law - International ventures - International Humanitarian Law - International Human Rights Law - Refugee Law - Private International Law - Supranational Law Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements Dispute Resolution (Including Student Matters) Provision of dispute resolution legal services including student matters including, but not limited to, the following: - Resolution of disputes including litigation, adjudication, mediation and arbitration - Commercial and property related litigation and dispute resolution - Health and Safety and Regulatory matters, including the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions - Personal injury litigation, including stress and disease claims - Reputation management, including defamation - Judicial review - Briefing and recommendation of Counsel - Student academic appeals, student complaints, student disciplinary matters, failure to educate, fitness to practise issues and other student procedures and processes - Data protection in a staff and student matters context - Representation on behalf of the University at appeal / complaint / disciplinary hearings as required - Student contract issues including the procedures for the making of offers and for enrolment - Compliance with the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), and other regulatory bodies in relation to the student contract for tuition (including fee issues) - Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) - Ensuring compliance with relevant regulatory requirements in Scotland and provide full assistance with any investigations undertaken by the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) and the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman (SPSO). Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015. Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements Education Law and Research Provision of legal services in Education and Research specialism including, but not limited to, the following: - Academic research (including grants) & research originated knowledge transfer. - Compliance with broader regulatory frameworks, including Material Asset Transfers, the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), and international protocols such as the Nagoya Protocol. Additional information: Economic operators may be excluded from this competition if they are in any of the situations referred to in regulation 58 of the Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations 2015 Renewal: The Authority reserves the right to extend the Framework Agreement for a period of up to 12 months subject to satisfactory performance and continued Institutions requirements ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022512-2026 | | Notice type | Planning 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 | Planning, Tender, Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 12 Mar 2026 | | Submission deadline | 21 Oct 2025 | | Future notice date | 19 Jun 2025 | | Award date | 16 Dec 2025 | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | August 2029 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £12,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | £5,400,000 | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Complete | | Lots status | Cancelled | | Awards status | Active | | Contracts status | Active | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | APUC LIMITED | | Additional buyers | EUROPEAN UNION | | Locality | STIRLING | | Post town | Falkirk and Stirling | | Postcode | FK8 2DZ | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM02 Perth and Kinross, and Stirling | | Local authority | Stirling | | Electoral ward | Stirling East | | Westminster constituency | Stirling and Strathallan | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## Supplier | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Number of suppliers | 7 | | Supplier names | ANDERSON STRATHERN; BRODIES; DWF; MORTON FRASER MACROBERTS; PINSENT MASONS; THORNTONS LAW; TLT | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 66 - Financial and insurance services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 66513000 - Legal insurance and all-risk insurance services - 66513100 - Legal expenses insurance services - 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 - 12 Mar 2026 at 16:06 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/022512-2026 - 17 Sep 2025 at 11:01 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/057275-2025 - 29 Jan 2025 at 13:42 - Planning - Planning Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002964-2025 ## Notice URLs - http://ucsp.ac.uk - http://www.apuc-scot.ac.uk - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000789019 - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000804364 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/Search_AuthProfile.aspx?ID=AA10402 - https://www.publictendersscotland.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk ## 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-04d700. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-04d700.json.