Legal services

Tender description

The Sovini Group (“Sovini”) invites tenders for organisations (“Service Providers”) to participate in a 48 month agreement (“the Agreement”) for the provision of Legal Services (“Services”). The range of services be supplied are detailed in the tender documentation. The agreement will be used by Sovini and all subsidiaries of Sovini, both current and future. Estimated expenditure across all lots during the Agreement will be in the region of 4 000 000 GBP — 5 000 000 GBP. This tender is being undertaken as a light-touch pseudo-open procedure, as permitted under Regulations 74 — 77 of the UK statutory instrument Public Contracts Regulations 2015/102. Sovini intends to award annual retainers for some lots of the framework. For all lots of the framework the service provider ranked first in each lot following evaluation of tenders will be required to provide a 20 minute helpline (free of charge) accessible by phone or email providing Sovini officers access to informal advice. Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to: — procurement law, — mergers and acquisitions, — insurance (legal elements, not brokerage), — joint ventures and corporate finance, — funding (e.g. investment management, acquisition/disposal of group assets, loan/security support, drawdowns and advice on obtaining new or increasing existing facilities), — changes to group structure. It may also include support regarding regulatory/legislative compliance and provision of updates to the board and other matters relating to organisational structure. Scope of Services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to: — employment law, — terms of employment, — sickness/absence issues, — pensions, — equal opportunities, — TUPE/outsourcing, — tribunals (and settlement agreements), — pensions, — health and safety (employees), — settlement agreements/COT 3s and organisational change. Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to: — possession changes, — anti-social behaviour, — right to buy options (“RTB”) on existing housing stock, — debt recovery, — disrepair cases, — landlord and tenant disputes, — access injunctions, — other general housing orientated litigation, — training/advice support in housing management matters and compliance with any legislative matters pertaining specifically to housing law. Services to be provided will also extend to leaseholder rights, low cost home ownership, landlord and tenant issues including social housing tenancy advice and leaseholder consultations. Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to: — guidance on property, — land and development matters acquisitions and disposals. The types of support needed may include: — RTB options on new build/refurbishment projects, — leases (residential and commercial), licensing and conveyancing, — open market sales, — site/property development including: —— associated plot sales, —— environmental and planning, —— construction, —— easements, —— compulsory purchase, —— procurement and contractual matters for development and/or property maintenance. Scope of services likely to be required includes, but is not limited, to: — advice and guidance regarding land acquisition, — other conveyancing support, — title searches with Land Registry, — contract disputes/arbitration (e.g. JCT, NEC), — bonds and guarantees, — HR matters, —health and safety (onsite accidents), — commercial (e.g. shop) leases and disrepair disputes (as the Contractor).