United Kingdom-Birkenhead: Financial and insurance services

'The contract is for the provision of civil litigation defence services involving a variety of insurance related liability claims. Successful contractors are likely to have a specialist public sector defence team with experience and knowledge of the local geography, claims culture and court system. The majority of instructions will involve defending reasonably standard highway PL matters but we will also require contractors to have the capability to handle non standard matters such as abuse, defamation, disease and professional indemnity amongst others. The Council is determined that only companies that have a proven track record of delivering contracts of this size and complexity, for other Metropolitan Local Authorities, will be invited to tender. Case conferences, hearings and briefings may be required at very short notice and bidders must be able to attend on the council or any of the local courts within 1 hour. As with all Highway Authority claims fraud is perceived as a key issue. Firms will need to demonstrate extensive experience and robust processes for managing this risk. It is considered vital that contractors have extensive experience of specific court procedures and knowledge of the Judiciary within Birkenhead and Liverpool County Courts. Equally a sound knowledge of Liverpool based Counsel will be required. The Council will require applicants to make formal presentations on their proposals to an evaluation panel, as part of the tender evaluation process. The quality of personnel, process, results and customer care will be paramount and will be investigated in detail during the evaluation stage of the tender. Whilst Wirral control all claims below the significant insurance deductible, the appointment of any firm to the Wirral account must also be acceptable to the underwriters of the liability insurance contract.'