LS1721 Legal Services Framework

Tender description

The Council is establishing a Legal Services Framework where approved Suppliers will be able to compete for specific requirements notified by the Council as and when requirements are identified. Tenders for inclusion on the framework are invited by the Council from Service Providers with relevant experience and ability to provide the Council with Legal Services, including, but not limited to, the following: Lot 1 Planning Lot 2 Property Lot 3 Employment Lot 4 Commercial Lot 5 Civil and Criminal Litigation Lot 6 Adult Services Lot 7 General Local Government Matters This framework is anticipated to commence in August 2023 and will expire 4 years after the commencement date. There are no guarantees of work or spend and any resulting contract is not exclusive. Award of the works under the Framework Lots can be by either further competition or direct award. Lot 1: Wiltshire Council are inviting tenders from number of firms of solicitors, in-house legal teams or other organisations (“Suppliers”) that will be able and willing to supply external legal services in a local government context on behalf of the Council to support the Council’s existing in-house legal team in order to meet their needs. This may include any work that the Council’s in-house legal team would usually carry out and Suppliers may be required to assist the Council’s in-house legal team with their cases or have conduct of cases. Being selected as a party to the Framework Agreement does not guarantee the award of any individual contracts under the Agreement or any other business with the Council. The number of Suppliers that will be requested to become party to the Framework Agreement will be capped at 5 per Lot. The fact that particular Suppliers have previously provided legal services to the Council will, of itself, neither be an advantage nor a disadvantage in the current tender process. Suppliers may be required to provide advice and/or representation (as appropriate) in respect of all Lots. The Council requires expertise at all levels and Suppliers will be expected to offer a range of expertise to provide support at the required level. The list of lots of lots is set out below. The type of work listed under each lot heading is intended to be indicative and non-exhaustive. Lots Suppliers are invited to submit a tender in respect of one or more of the following Lots: Lot 1: Planning (i) General Advice; (ii) Section 106 Agreements; (iii) Other planning casework (e.g. Enforcement, certificates of lawful use, revocations of permission); (iv) Planning Inquiries and appeals; (v) Advice and representation at Planning Committees; (vi) CPOs Lot 2: Property (i) General advice; (ii) Sales; (iii) Rights to buy; (iv) Purchases; (v) Leases; (vi) Shared ownership leases; (vii) Miscellaneous transactions (e.g. licences, easements, agreements, encroachments, adverse possession); (viii) CPOs. Lot 3: Employment (i) General advice; (ii) Preparation of case; (iii) Conduct of hearing/trial. Lot 4: Commercial (i) General advice; (ii) Agreements; (iii) Public Procurement; (iv) Subsidy Control; (v) Corporate Structures; (vi) Construction; (vii) Academies here; (viii) PFI. Lot 5: Civil and Criminal Litigation (i) General advice; (ii) Preparation of case; (iii) Conduct of hearing/trial; (iv) Housing possessions; (v) Debt collection; (vi) Licensing appeals; (vii) Parking enforcement; (viii) Prosecutions to include, but not limited to; benefit, trading standards, education, libraries. Lot 6: Adult Services (i) General Advice; (ii) Conduct of hearings. Lot 7: Childcare Services (i) General advice; (ii) Appeals; (iii) Child protection; (iv) Case preparation; (v) Conduct of hearings. Lot 8: General Local Government Matters (i) General advice; (ii) Highways; (iii) Housing; (iv) Attending Committees; (v) Byelaws; (vi) Information law; (vii) Data protection; and (viii) Education/Schools. Lot 9: Monitoring Officer Support (i) General advice; (ii) Conduct of investigations; and (iii) Attendance at Committee and/or hearings. (The descriptions within each Lot are indicative and any other legal specialisms which may be required are to be regarded as being incorporated into the most appropriate Lot.) Additional Requirements in respect of all Lots Availability Suppliers will be required to demonstrate sufficient capacity to provide advice and/or representation including at short notice if required and to provide continuity for extended matters