GLD Vacancies

Oxfordshire authorities name eight firms to framework agreement

A consortium including all local authorities in Oxfordshire and the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority has selected eight law firms to provide advice under a legal services framework agreement.

The successful firms were:

  • Blake Lapthorn
  • Browne Jacobson
  • Darbys
  • Eversheds
  • Freeth Cartwright
  • Trowers & Hamlins
  • Veale Wasbrough Vizards
  • Wragge & Co

The participating authorities in the consortium were: Oxford City Council; Cherwell District Council; West Oxfordshire District Council; Oxfordshire County Council; Vale of the White Horse District Council; South Oxfordshire District Council; and the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.

The framework agreement, which replaces a previous call-off arrangement that has recently expired, will also be made available to authorities in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.

The tender exercise was led by Oxford City Council, with support from the other authorities when it came to evaluation.

Oxford City’s practice manager for legal services, Sue Brown, said 48 pre-qualification questionnaires were submitted, with 12 firms invited to tender.

She said: “This time we were looking for a slightly different arrangement in that we wanted the firms to cover as many specialist areas that relate to local authority work as possible, rather than just being specialists in one particular area. We were looking for a wide range of legal expertise from the firms.

“It’s access to those external services as a really useful addition to the in-house service. It’s not intended to be a replacement in any way, but to support us when there are peaks in demand or there is a requirement for a specialism we don’t have or where there’s limited expertise in-house.”

Brown said that the consortium, alongside running the panel, was to do more work supporting each other as local authorities. “We already do that, but we want to do more of it,” she added.

The feasibility of a similar arrangement for barristers will be explored, Brown said.

Veale Wasbrough Vizards managing partner Simon Heald said: “Gaining a place on this panel proves again our continued commitment to the public sector and in particular the local authority market in the current turbulent economic climate.

“We are seeking more work in this area as we continue to develop our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by public sector organisations.”