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The Legal Department of the Future February 2016 LocalGovernmentLawyer24 makes it viable to go through any tendering process required in the event that the model requires compliance with procurement regulations. Using this type of model may also allow local authorities to turn the shared services into a commercial venture by providing services for profit. There are a number of contractual structures for this model including framework agreements entered into by lead partners and consortium agreements with all partners. Examples of shared legal services There are already numerous shared legal services models in existence including LGSS a merger of Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire county councils corporate services into a single shared service which is now a law firm wholly owned by the councils specialising in services to the public sector. LGSS has partnerships across the region with a number of other public sector organisations including other councils and also NHS bodies adult care services and education bodies. HB Public Law is also a single shared service working with other public sector organisations. EM Lawshare an East Midlands consortium with 87 members from various public sector organisations and six partner firms which deliver the whole range of legal advice at discounted rates. Partner firms receive a substantial amount of work and accordingly offer added value such as free training. The consortium is governed by a full tendered framework agreement and is non- exclusive meaning members are free to instruct other firms. Another consortium with a similar set up is the North West Legal Consortium which has 43 members three partner firms and a barristers portal with 20 sets of chambers registered and offering discounted hourly rates and fixed fees in a range of areas. Public Law Partnership this has 30 members in the East of England. There is no framework agreement with private sector law firms because the aim is to carry out as much work and knowledge sharing as possible within member LAs. If you would like to read more quality articles like this then register for a free 1 week trial of LexisPSL at www.lexisnexis.co.uken- ukproductspslfreetrial.page