Local Government
Our experienced team of procurement solicitors can offer support and advice on all aspects of procurement within the local government sector.
When a public sector body bids to enter into a supply contract, a works contract or a services contracts, the award of the contract will be covered by European and procurement law. A key piece of legislation in relation to the procurement of works, services or supply contracts is the public contracts regulations, which sets out how procurement processes should be run by public bodies.
At Anthony Collins Solicitors, we use our extensive sector, procurement law and European law knowledge and experience to work in partnership with our clients to advise and support them with all aspects of procurement processes, including strategic procurement advice in relation to policies and procedures and bringing and defending procurement challenges.
If procurement challenges arise, our specialist team of procurement solicitors can advise on how to deal with the challenges in an effective and efficient way. Procurement challenges can arise when unsuccessful bidders or the contracting authority make claims of the procurement process being run unfairly.
We work with bidders and contracting authorities to defend and bring claims of unfair procurement processes. As experienced mediators, we can support both parties to reach a workable resolution through mediation; avoiding costly and time-consuming court proceedings. If a bidder or contracting authority feels that the procurement process has been run unfairly we can advise on whether they have a case and assess the risk involved of bringing the challenge.
Procurement services for local authorities
Our specialist team of procurement solicitors work with bidders and contracting authorities to advise and support them on all aspects of procurement and procurement challenges, including:
- Ensuring that the appropriate procurement policies, procedures and documentation are in place.
- Ensure the procurement process complies with procurement and European law.
- Support clients through issues to ensure a successful procurement process.
- Provide procurement training to organisations and trade bodies.
- Advise unsuccessful bidders and contracting authorities on whether they have grounds to bring a procurement challenge and advise them on the associated risks.
- Resolve procurement challenges through mediation.
- Defend judicial-review proceedings and claims under the Public Contracts Law regulation.
We have been recognised for the work we do
Case casts light on the land transaction OJEU tendering exemption
A recent case throws light on the scope of the exemption for “land transactions” from the need for an OJEU tender process.
Weak pound brings benefits in terms of higher public procurement thresholds
The new thresholds will apply to all contracts let and procurements that begin after 1 January 2020.
Heat networks – climate emergency medicine?
Many local authorities have declared a “climate emergency”; heat networks can be a part of the solution.
A substantial change to a contract does not risk set aside for “ineffectiveness”
Procuring organisations who have to make substantial changes to a contract during an OJEU tender process can breathe a sigh of relief.
'Building a safer future' consultation response
On 31 July, the consultation period ended on MHCLG’s proposals for reforming the building safety regulatory system set out in the 'Building a Safer Future' document. We have submitted our response.
Modern slavery – looking out for shackles in the supply chain
The Government commissioned an independent review of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 in July 2018. The outcome was published in May 2019 which highlighted areas for improvement.
Dispute-related legal services excluded from the need for tendering
The European Court has upheld the long-standing principle that parties to a dispute should be able to choose their lawyers without having to go through a tender process (or use a framework).
Social value in the award of central government contracts
The UK Government has been consulting on how it should promote social value in its procurements. Here is our response that we submitted to the consultation...
Brexit – Au revoir OJEU!
It’s crunch time on 29 January, as Parliament prepares to vote on Plan B of Theresa May’s Brexit deal. If unsuccessful, the UK could be leaving the EU without a deal on 29 March 2019!
Brexit “no deal” notice for public procurement raises more questions than it answers
The Government has now published its “no deal notice” for public procurement.
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