---
title: "NEPO515 - Children's and Adult's Barristers"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d686"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d686"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d686.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d686.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Planning"
buyer: "THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED"
published: "2025-10-29"
---

# NEPO515 - Children's and Adult's Barristers

Buyer: THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED  
Current stage: Planning  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d686

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d686.json)

## Summary

The procurement process initiated by THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED, acting as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), involves the establishment of a multi-supplier framework for Children's and Adult's Barristers services. This process is classified under legal services and takes place in the North East of England, with all related activities confined to the UKC region of the United Kingdom. The contract is currently in the planning stage, paving the way for a competitive tendering process. The framework agreement, adjusted under the exemptions found in the Procurement Act 2023, will commence from 4th April 2026 and may continue until 3rd April 2034, contingent upon potential extensions. Suppliers must submit their proposals by 12:00 on 3rd December 2025, via the electronic platform, Open.

This tender represents a unique opportunity for businesses specialising in legal services to expand their portfolio through a long-term framework agreement. SMEs are particularly encouraged to participate, as the framework is open to such entities and will remain flexible to allow for new entrants during its lifecycle. The substantial estimated value of up to £96 million provides a lucrative incentive for firms with capabilities in providing barrister services focused on children's and adult's legal proceedings. The strategic nature of this procurement, with its flexibility and extensive term, makes it an attractive option for established legal firms seeking sustained growth and collaboration with North East Member Authorities and their partners.

## Notice

This notice is being used as as a call for competition for Suppliers to be appointed to a Framework for Children's and Adults' Barristers Services. The Association of North East Councils Limited trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier Framework for the provision of Children's and Adult's Barristers services, including representation in judicial proceedings before the courts and legal advice given in anticipation of or preparation for such proceedings. The Framework will be used solely by North East Member Authorities and their partners. This procurement will be conducted using the exemptions set out in the Procurement Act 2023 for relevant in scope contracts. The services in scope of this Solution are classed as exempt legal services by operation of the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 2 - Exempted Contracts, Part 2 - Subject Matter Exempted Contracts - Paragraph 14 - Legal Services. The Framework will be established following a competitive tendering process for an initial 48 month period, with the option to extend for an additional 2 x 24 month periods. The Framework operate for a maximum 96 month term and will expire 3rd April 2034, subject to extension. This opportunity is available from 29.10.2025. The deadline for submission for this opportunity is 12:00 on 3 December 2025. All responses must be submitted electronically via Open https://www.open-uk.org/ The Framework will be reopened throughout its term to allow for new entrants. As such, suppliers which have not been appointed to this Framework will have the opportunity to be appointed to the subsequent framework.

### Planning Information

This notice is published as a call for competition. 
Suppliers should note that as this Procurement is an Exempt Procurement Find a Tender functionality does not support the publication of notices for exempt contracts. No further notices are planned to be published. 
Suppliers wishing to access and complete the tender documents must first register on Open the eTendering system using the following link https://www.open-uk.org.
For guidance on how to create an account or submit your questionnaire response through Open, please visit https://www.open-hub.org/training (https://www.open-hub.org/training) to access the available Training Guides. If you need technical assistance from the Open Support team, this can be requested via email at open.support@nepo.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Open is accessible 24/7 however, technical support is available Monday to Thursday 08:30 - 17:00 and Friday 08:30 - 16:30.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069491-2025 |
| Notice type | UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice |
| Procurement type | Framework |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Not Specified |
| Procurement method details | Not specified |
| Tender suitability | SME |
| Awardee scale | Not specified |
| All stages | Planning |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 29 Oct 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | Not specified |
| Contract period | 3 Apr 2026 - 3 Apr 2034 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £80,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Planning |
| Lots status | Planning |
| Awards status | Not specified |
| Contracts status | Not specified |

## Buyer

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Main buyer | THE ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS LIMITED |
| Locality | GATESHEAD |
| Post town | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| Postcode | NE8 3DF |
| Country | England |
| ITL 1 | TLC North East (England) |
| ITL 2 | TLC4 Northumberland, Durham and Tyne & Wear |
| ITL 3 | TLC43 Tyneside |
| Local authority | Gateshead |
| Electoral ward | Bridges |
| Westminster constituency | Gateshead Central and Whickham |
| Delivery location | TLC North East (England) |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 79100000 - Legal services

## Release History

- 29 Oct 2025 at 15:44 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069491-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069491-2025
  29th October 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.nepo.org
- https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents
- https://www.open-hub.org/training
- https://www.open-uk.org
- https://www.open-uk.org/

## 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-05d686. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d686.json.