--- title: "External Legal Services Framework" ocid: "ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645.json" source: "Public Contracts Scotland" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "SCOTTISH SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL" published: "2026-05-12" --- # External Legal Services Framework Buyer: SCOTTISH SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645.json) ## Summary The Scottish Social Services Council has initiated a procurement process for an "External Legal Services Framework" to furnish them with legal advice and representation, especially concerning fitness to practise panel investigations and related legal matters. This opportunity is issued as an open procedure with the tender stage currently active and invites multi-supplier participation to ensure efficient and conflict-free service provision. Located in Dundee, the procurement process is under the guidance of the Scottish Social Services Council, with an anticipated maximum value of £500,000. Interested suppliers must submit their tenders electronically by 12 June 2026, with the contract awards expected to commence on 16 June 2026. This tender serves the 'Social protection' industry category and encompasses CPV codes like 79110000 and others relevant to legal services. This tender represents a substantial business opportunity for firms specialising in legal services, especially those experienced in administrative and regulatory law, appeals, and hearings. Suitable businesses would benefit from providing comprehensive legal support to a public-sector client, addressing diverse legal needs from governance to compliance. The framework's multi-supplier model encourages small to medium-sized enterprises to compete, potentially offering stability over its proposed framework period. Companies are advised to ensure timely electronic submission and strive for high-quality proposals to align with the tender's award criteria focused on 80% quality and 20% price considerations. ## Notice A multi supplier ranked framework to provide legal advice and representation to the SSSC, primarily in relation to fitness to practise panel investigations and hearings but also in relation to other matters and proceedings associated with our regulatory function. These include a range of subjects such as prospects of success at appeals/judicial review, equality implications, rehabilitation of offenders legislation, and general administrative and regulatory legal topics. The external advisors also provide quality control and assurance checks for fitness to practise. The Legal and Corporate Governance department may also have a requirement for additional support where required due to time pressures or where expert advice is needed that cannot be provided by the internal legal team. This will include advice on information governance and governance/compliance matters as well as our statutory functions under the Regulation of Care (Sc) Act 2001. A minimum of 2 ranked suppliers will reduce the risk of any conflict of interest around individual cases. ### Lot Information Lot 1 A multi supplier ranked framework to provide legal advice and representation to the SSSC, primarily in relation to fitness to practise panel investigations and hearings but also in relation to other matters and proceedings associated with our regulatory function. These include a range of subjects such as prospects of success at appeals/judicial review, equality implications, rehabilitation of offenders legislation, and general administrative and regulatory legal topics. The external advisors also provide quality control and assurance checks for fitness to practise. The Legal and Corporate Governance department may also have a requirement for additional support where required due to time pressures or where expert advice is needed that cannot be provided by the internal legal team. This will include advice on information governance and governance/compliance matters as well as our statutory functions under the Regulation of Care (Sc) Act 2001. A minimum of 2 ranked suppliers will reduce the risk of any conflict of interest around individual cases.. The maximum value of the Framework is not anticipated to exceed 500,000 GBP exclusive of VAT for the full life of the framework inclusive of the optional extension period. Actual value of spend over the life of the framework will be dependent upon requirement and therefore is not guaranteed Renewal: The SSSC may extend the framework agreement by one (1) x twelve (12) month period. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Public Contracts Scotland | | Latest notice | https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555628 | | Notice type | OJEU - F2 - Contract 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 | 12 May 2026 | | Submission deadline | 12 Jun 2026 | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | Not specified | | Recurrence | May 2030 | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £500,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | 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 | SCOTTISH SOCIAL SERVICES COUNCIL | | Locality | DUNDEE | | Post town | Dundee | | Postcode | DD1 4NY | | Country | Scotland | | ITL 1 | TLM Scotland | | ITL 2 | TLM0 Eastern Scotland | | ITL 3 | TLM03 Angus and Dundee City | | Local authority | Dundee City | | Electoral ward | West End | | Westminster constituency | Dundee Central | | Delivery location | TLM Scotland | ## 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 - 12 May 2026 at 00:00 - Tender - OJEU - F2 - Contract Notice - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555628 ## Documents - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555628 External Legal Services Framework - A multi supplier ranked framework to provide legal advice and representation to the SSSC, primarily in relation to fitness to practise panel investigations and hearings but also in relation to other matters and proceedings associated with our regulatory function. These include a range of subjects such as prospects of success at appeals/judicial review, equality implications, rehabilitation of offenders legislation, and general administrative and regulatory legal topics. The external advisors also provide quality control and assurance checks for fitness to practise. The Legal and Corporate Governance department may also have a requirement for additional support where required due to time pressures or where expert advice is needed that cannot be provided by the internal legal team. This will include advice on information governance and governance/compliance matters as well as our statutory functions under the Regulation of Care (Sc) Act 2001. A minimum of 2 ranked suppliers will reduce the risk of any conflict of interest around individual cases. ## Notice URLs - http:// - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/Search/Search_Switch.aspx?ID=831645 - http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/sitehelp/help_guides.aspx - http://www.sssc.uk.com - https://api.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/v1/Notice?id=ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645 - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ - https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ESPD/ESPD_Download.aspx?id=831645 ## 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-r6ebe6-0000831645. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-r6ebe6-0000831645.json.