North East council to set up £8m barristers panel for social care advice

The 12 North East local authorities are to set up a panel of barristers for children and adult care advice and advocacy worth £8m over four years.

Newcastle City Council, which is leading the procurement of the panel, said: “We wish to establish a framework that will cover all barristers services that provide specialist advice and advocacy in relation to children and adults’ social care matters.

“The council wish to appoint a panel of chambers who will in return prioritise the council’s and other named authorities’ legal work. Although the bulk of the council’s legal work is carried out in house, it requires from time to time specialist advice from external solicitors and barristers.”

The contract is expected to start on 1 September 2016 and end on 31 August 2020.