--- title: "Utility Regulator - Legal Services Framework Agreement" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "UTILITY REGULATOR" published: "2026-07-23" --- # Utility Regulator - Legal Services Framework Agreement Buyer: UTILITY REGULATOR Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a.json) ## Summary The Utility Regulator is currently seeking to establish a Legal Services Framework Agreement, with an invitation for tenders initiated on 23rd July 2026. This procurement process is managed by the Construction and Procurement Delivery - Supplies and Services Division, which functions as a central procurement entity for Northern Ireland's government. The primary procurement stage is "tender", and this process is set to remain active with a closing date for tenders on 24th August 2026. The framework includes four lots, focusing on providing legal services across various domains such as energy, utility, water, regulatory, commercial, and civil litigation, with an estimated value of £4 million over a three-year period with an optional one-year extension. The procurement method is an open procedure, demanding electronic submissions, and is governed by UK devolved regulations. This tender provides significant growth opportunities for legal service providers specializing in the energy, utility, and regulatory sectors. Firms with expertise in commercial, corporate, competition, environmental, and litigation law will find this framework an appealing opportunity, particularly given the estimated value and the strategic nature of the Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation's work. Suppliers who can display a strong track record in these services and can meet the submission requirements electronically stand a good chance of enhancing their business prospects. This framework, with its potential for high-demand services across multiple lots, will benefit companies capable of offering comprehensive legal expertise across the UK, especially those that have the capacity to manage multiple lots within the framework's stipulations. ## Notice The Northern Ireland Authority for Utility Regulation (Utility Regulator) is seeking to put in place a framework for legal advice to support the in-house team. The framework consists of four Lots. Suppliers should refer to the Specification Schedule for full detail on the requirements of this Framework Agreement. The overall estimated framework value is PS4 Million (ex VAT), however you should note the requirement is demand led and the Buyer does not give any guarantee as to the volume of work that will be commissioned under this framework. The Framework Agreement will be valid for a period of 3 years with an option to extend for one further year. ### Lot Information Energy/Water/Utilities Specialist Legal Expertise. General utilities law expertise (UK Wide) Advice, support and, where appropriate, legal representation in all areas of Energy, Utilities and Water Law, including, but not limited to; Advice on application and interpretation of the requirements of energy law and regulation to include the interpretation of related licence conditions that are of direct relevance to the work of economic regulators and the energy industry in the UK. Advice on application and interpretation of the requirements of water law and regulation including the Water and Sewerage Services in the UK and relevant licences. Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year. Regulatory law, European law, Public and administrative law, and competition law (UK Wide) Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in regulatory, public, administrative and competition law including but not limited to: Advice on European law in particular advice on addressing EU infractions and EU Directives transposition that are of direct relevance to the work of UR and the energy/utilities industries. Advice on interpretation and application of other UK legislation relevant to the regulation of energy and water, including the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 and the Competition Act 1998. Advice on competition powers that economic regulators hold concurrently with the Competition and Markets Authority (functions formerly performed by the Office of Fair Trading/Competition Commission). Advice on energy and water related matters impacted by international law, for example the European Convention on Human Rights and Human Rights Act and cross-border and constitutional law. Advice on environmental law and renewable energy law. Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year. Commercial, Corporate and Contract Law; Property Law: and Employment Law and Information Law (NI Specific) Advice on corporate / commercial law including the Companies Act 2006 and all forms of contractual disputes and potential litigation which need commercial energy contract experts in GB. Advice on EU procurement law. Advice on finance law arrangements for example loan agreements, debentures, share equity issues, debt financing. Advice on insolvency law for example administration, special administration, schemes of arrangement. Advice on NI employment and trade union law. Advice on information law including application of the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the General Data Protection Regulation 2018 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in areas of property law including but not limited to: Disposal, purchase and development of land and property, including development agreements and construction documentation. Compulsory acquisition of land, compensation law and representation at Lands Tribunal. Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year. Civil Litigation and Dispute Resolution (NI Specific) Advice, support and where appropriate legal representation in areas of civil litigation and dispute including but not limited to: General litigation: Contract disputes, tort claims, judicial reviews. Regulatory enforcement: Legal support in enforcing statutory duties or defending against challenges. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR): Mediation, arbitration, expert determination. Disclosure and evidence handling. Specialist litigation: Environmental, competition, or procurement-related disputes. Renewal: There is an option to extend for one further year. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069936-2026 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Framework | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Open | | Procurement method details | Open procedure | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 23 Jul 2026 | | Submission deadline | 24 Aug 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 19 Oct 2026 - 19 Oct 2029 | | Recurrence | 2030-07-23 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £4,000,000 | | Lots value | £4,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | UTILITY REGULATOR | | Additional buyers | CPD - SUPPLIES AND SERVICES DIVISION | | Locality | BELFAST | | Post town | Northern Ireland | | Postcode | BT2 7AQ | | Country | Northern Ireland | | ITL 1 | TLN Northern Ireland | | ITL 2 | TLN0 Northern Ireland | | ITL 3 | TLN06 Belfast | | Local authority | Belfast | | Electoral ward | Sydenham | | Westminster constituency | Belfast East | | Delivery location | TLN Northern Ireland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 75 - Administration, defence and social security services - 79 - Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security ### Codes - 75231100 - Law-courts-related administrative services - 79100000 - Legal services - 79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services - 79111000 - Legal advisory services - 79112000 - Legal representation services - 79112100 - Stakeholders representation services - 79130000 - Legal documentation and certification services - 79140000 - Legal advisory and information services ## Release History - 23 Jul 2026 at 15:36 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069936-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/069936-2026 23rd July 2026 - Tender notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps - https://www.finance-ni.gov.uk/articles/account-ni-good-invoicing-practice - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents - https://www.uregni.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-06d27a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-06d27a.json.