We are dedicated legal advisers to the public sector and advise on major PFI/ PPP projects and other complex outsourcings and procurement work with central and local government, non-departmental public bodies and executive agencies as well as major suppliers to the public sector. Our public sector and projects experience and expertise was reflected in our appointment in 2003 to the Buying Solutions commercial panel and our reappointment in 2007 to Lots 1 - 7 of the Buying Solutions framework, including the full commercial lot.
We are committed to seeking value for money and we have experience in many different contexts of protecting and promoting the reputation of our public sector clients.
Highlights of our recent work include:
- advising the Ministry of Defence in reaching successful financial close on 1st August 2008 on their £800 million PFI Project for the redevelopment of their Corsham site after 7 years of supporting them on this project
- advising Somerset County Council, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Avon and Somerset Police in connection with their £500 million + strategic partnership with IBM "Improving Services in Somerset", which reached final close in September 2007
- advising four sub-regional groups of local authorities, including Cambridge City Council, in connection with their collaborative procurements of web-based schemes for the allocation of local housing stock based on customer choice.
Our other recent work includes:
- advising Bristol Brunel Academy on its transition to academy status and its integration into the HM Government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) PFI programme
- advising Borough of Poole Council in respect of procurement issues connected with the development of a long term waste disposal solution and means to establish agency arrangements with an adjoining Authority
- advising the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO) in connection with the alteration to the method of calculating and charging royalty payments being made world wide to the UKHO on sales of navigational charts provided by the private sector
- advising the Fire Service College in connection with the possible outsourcing of ground maintenance and fire service training
- drafting framework agreements for electronic call-off of temporary agency staff services for Wiltshire County Council and a consortium of district councils
- advising Quintain Estates and Development plc on facilities management outsourcing and complex service levels for the management and maintenance of student accommodation
- advising Caerphilly County Borough Council on procurement issues relating to protected geographical indications, social and environmental issues and SMEs.
Our team of public sector lawyers is led by Sue Nokes, a specialist adviser in central and local government PPPs, IT Projects and procurement.
