Legal services

Tender description

Legal advice for constitutional and public law and local public audit law. This tender has been divided into two lots. Lot 1: Constitutional and Public Law, Lot 2: Local Public Audit Law. Further details can be found in the ITT documents. Legal Advice relating to the C&AG/NAO’s constitutional position and statutory powers – including but not limited to: • interpretation of C&AG/NAO's existing powers and responsibilities (for example: financial audit; value for money examinations and Comptroller function); • proposed/draft legislation impacting on C&AG/NAO's powers and responsibilities (both UK and devolved legislation); • relationship between the C&AG, the NAO and Parliament; • C&AG's discretion and independence; • C&AG as an Officer of the House of Commons; • parliamentary privilege. Advice relating to existing and draft legislation of relevance to the C&AG/NAO's operational and audit activities - including but not limited to: • application and compliance with statutory regimes (for example: Freedom of Information; Environmental Information Regulations; subject access requests; data protection; money laundering; judicial review; equality and inclusion); • interpretation and guidance regarding the implications of public law matters for the C&AG/NAO's work (for example: commercial sensitivity; national security; confidentiality; tax law; defamation and discovery; legal privilege and subjudice questions; EU exit, EU law; devolution and Covid-19 related matters). • Legal advice Including but not limited to: — supporting and advising on matters relating to the C&AG’s Code of Audit Practice and guidance to local auditors; — providing guidance and advice on all aspects of the local public audit regime in England; — assisting the NAO in responding to queries from audit firms and other correspondents on the interpretation of public law, audit law and the legal framework applicable to local public bodies; — advising on anticipated/actual changes in relevant primary and secondary legislation and regulations, including any implications of EU exit, devolution and Covid-19.