Birmingham legal team nets NHS appointment in trading push

The legal services department at Birmingham City Council has received a major boost in its drive to win more work from public sector clients, after securing a place on a framework agreement set up by group purchasing organisation HealthTrust Europe.

The local authority has been appointed alongside a number of law firms including Bircham Dyson Bell and Hill Dickinson.

The agreement, which will last for an initial three years with an option to extend for 12 months, is being made available to up to 70 NHS trusts in the Midlands and the South East.

Birmingham was ranked first on the Other Law panel, and second for those relating to employment and contract and commercial law. These lots are estimated to be worth £8.8m based on historic values.

The HealthTrust Europe appointment comes following the launch of Birmingham’s legal services trading arm, LSB Law. The council has been offering its legal services to other public sector organisations such as schools, universities, housing associations, fire authorities and so on.

The council has also set up a training division for lawyers, officers, and other professionals.

The project has been led by Assistant Director John Wynn.

David Tatlow, Birmingham’s Director of Legal & Democratic Services, said: “We are determined to continue to find efficiency savings for both the council and the wider public sector through very competitive charging rates – due to our low cost base and pricing compared to private sector firms. We are particularly pleased to be assisting and working in partnership with the NHS.”