Growth sees EM LawShare close in on 150 members

EM LawShare, the UK’s largest legal consortium, is closing in on 150 members, having added 21 organisations in the last 12 months.

Kent County Council, Wolverhampton City Council and North Yorkshire County Council are among those to have joined.

Of the 147 members, 113 are local authorities. Other organisations to belong include NHS Trusts, fire and rescue authorities, universities, national parks and housing organisations.

The consortium, which was holding its annual conference in Derby this week, estimates that it has saved the public purse £20m since its inception in 2006.

In March this year it expanded its panel of law firms to seven, with the addition of Anthony Collins Solicitors, to cover 2018-2022.

Jayne Francis-Ward, Head of EM LawShare, said: “The consortium launched in 2006 with 13 local authority members and I never dreamt that it would grow to be the huge organisation it is today and with the diversity of public bodies it now supports. The financial position within public bodies means arrangements such as these are essential to ensure value for money. EMLS has proved year after year that it delivers quality at a fair price.”