LBLA starts process of selecting new solicitors framework agreement

The starting gun has this month been fired for places on one of the most high-profile solicitors framework agreements in local government.

The London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA) comprises 13 public bodies which between them spend approximately £1.5m per annum on external legal advice from law firms.

The authorities that make up the LBLA are:

• Brent;
• Camden;
• City of London;
• Ealing;
• Hackney;
• Hammersmith and Fulham;
• Harrow;
• Hillingdon;
• Hounslow;
• Islington;
• Kensington & Chelsea;
• Waltham Forest;
• West London Waste Authority.

The framework agreement will run for a period of three years from 1 October this year, with an option to extend the term for a further year.

The LBLA is to follow a two stage process in selecting firms: (i) a pre-qualification assessment, and (ii) an invitation to tender.

There are two lots available. Lot 1 covers complex regeneration, development, property and planning.

Lot 2 covers a ‘full range of legal services’, including: litigation; commercial; property; and other miscellaneous local government work.

The framework will be made open for use by other local authorities in Greater London and South-East England.

The estimated value of the requirement is stated as being between £1m and £5m, while the deadline for expressions of interest is 6 June. The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea is acting as the central purchasing body.

The LBLA appointed 16 firms in 2009 to its current solicitors framework agreement. Among those selected were: Ashfords; Bevan Brittan; Browne Jacobson; Geldards; Michelmores; Sharpe Pritchard; TLT; and Weightmans.

In February 2012 the LBLA named 31 sets of chambers to a legal services framework worth an estimated £63m.