NEPO515 - Children's and Adult's Barristers

This notice is being used as as a call for competition for Suppliers to be appointed to a Framework for Children's and Adults' Barristers Services.

The Association of North East Councils Limited trading as the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) is seeking to establish a multi-supplier Framework for the provision of Children's and Adult's Barristers services, including representation in judicial proceedings before the courts and legal advice given in anticipation of or preparation for such proceedings.

The Framework will be used solely by North East Member Authorities and their partners.

This procurement will be conducted using the exemptions set out in the Procurement Act 2023 for relevant in scope contracts.

The services in scope of this Solution are classed as exempt legal services by operation of the Procurement Act 2023, Schedule 2 - Exempted Contracts, Part 2 - Subject Matter Exempted Contracts - Paragraph 14 - Legal Services.

The Framework will be established following a competitive tendering process for an initial 48 month period, with the option to extend for an additional 2 x 24 month periods. The Framework operate for a maximum 96 month term and will expire 3rd April 2034, subject to extension.

This opportunity is available from 29.10.2025. The deadline for submission for this opportunity is 12:00 on 3 December 2025. All responses must be submitted electronically via Open https://www.open-uk.org/

The Framework will be reopened throughout its term to allow for new entrants. As such, suppliers which have not been appointed to this Framework will have the opportunity to be appointed to the subsequent framework.