London Boroughs Legal Alliance names seven firms to new £5m framework

The London Boroughs’ Legal Alliance has appointed seven law firms to two lots under its new legal services framework, which is worth an estimated £5m over three years.

For this latest procurement exercise, the third it has conducted, the alliance has more than halved the number of law firms appointed. The predecessor framework, established in 2009, saw 16 firms chosen.

The new framework has two lots – Lot 1 covers complex regeneration, development, property and planning and Lot 2 will handle the full range of legal services (including litigation, contracts, procurement, PPP/PFI, property and employment).

The successful firms appointed following the procurement, which was led by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, were:

Lot 1

  • Ashfords LLP
  • Bevan Brittan
  • Freeth Cartwright LLP
  • Sharpe Pritchard LLP
  • TLP LLP

Lot 2

  • Ashfords LLP
  • Michelmores LLP
  • Pinsent Masons LLP
  • Sharpe Pritchard LLP
  • TLT LLP

The successful firms have all agreed to provide additional benefits such as training and other knowledge transfer initiatives.

The framework is available to all participating members of the LBLA: Kensington & Chelsea, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, the City of London Corporation and the West London Waste Authority.

Haringey Council, although not a member of the alliance, will have access to the panel. Other authorities in London and the South East will also be able to take up this option.

Tasnim Shawkat, Bi-Borough Director of Law at Kensington and Chelsea, said: “This is a great outcome for the LBLA – delivering once again, a panel of firms committed to delivering exceptional service and supporting the challenging and wide ranging work being undertaken by our in-house legal teams. We are particularly pleased with the competitive rates achieved which show a reduction on those under the old framework.”

Vivienne Horton, Director at Kennedy Cater, which advised the LBLA on the procurement, said: “We are delighted by the response to this rigorous procurement process which has delivered firms with recognised expertise and experience in local government who are well placed to provide the LBLA authorities with legal support that fulfils the significant cost and quality criteria required.”