The North West Legal Consortium Invitation to Tender (ITT) For the Provision of Legal Services by Solicitors

Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council (Sefton) as lead contracting authority for the Consortium wishes to procure a framework contract to provide external legal services from firms of solicitors to support the in-house provision of its member organisations. References in the tender documents to the Consortium mean, where the context so requires, Sefton as lead authority for the Consortium, and/or the Consortium acting through Sefton and/or each and every member of the Consortium. The Consortium currently has 43 members drawn from the public sector in the North West of England as listed on the Consortium website. There is the possibility of membership extending during the course of the framework to other organisations including local authorities, police and fire authorities, central and local government arm's length bodies, agencies and controlled companies, non-departmental bodies, education providers and NHS bodies, primarily but not exclusively from across the North West of England and North Wales. The contract is expected to be worth up to £10 million over the duration of the 4 year framework. This figure is an estimate only and may be exceeded. However, no guarantee is given as to any level of business to be awarded through the framework. The work will be offered across five lots as follows: Lot 1 - Civil Litigation, Prosecutions and Regulatory To include construction litigation, negligence proceedings, possession proceedings, licensing appeals and employment advice and litigation Lot 2- Property, Planning and Environment To include all conveyancing, regeneration and highways advice Lot 3 - Corporate Governance, Ethical Standards and Information Law To include organisational governance issues, data protection advice including advice on use of social media by Council councillors or third parties involving the Council/council officers Lot 4 - Projects, Procurement and Commercial To include all commercial contracts and company law Lot 5 - Adult Social Care and Education Bidders may bid for all or any of these lots. There is an additional potential award of partner status to eligible bidders explained later in this document. Information about the Consortium can be found on its website www.nwlegalconsortium.com The website acts as the principal hub for all the Consortium's activities