EM LawShare begins work on procurement of new legal services panel

The EM LawShare consortium has revealed that it has started work on procuring a new four-year framework agreement for legal services running from 1 April 2018.

In its latest newsletter, the consortium said it envisaged placing an OJEU notice in May or June this year.

Selected firms will be invited to tender in September or October, with interviews held in January 2018.

The new partner firms are expected to be appointed in February next year.

EM LawShare, which was launched in 2006, now has 118 members, with Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, North Lincolnshire Council and the University of Leicester recently joining.

The consortium’s six ‘legal partner’ firms, appointed with effect from April 2014, are: Bevan Brittan, Browne Jacobson, Freeths, Geldards, Sharpe Pritchard and Weightmans.

Jayne Francis-Ward, EM LawShare head and Corporate Director - Policy, Planning and Corporate Services at Nottinghamshire County Council, the consortium's lead authority, said: “We are delighted that EM LawShare has not only stood the test of time but has thrived in an ever changing environment. The future looks bright and we are confident that this procurement process will secure another successful collaboration between the public and private sector working together to achieve excellent outcomes in a cost effective way.”