Kennedy Cater Legal

For this latest procurement exercise, the third it has conducted, the alliance has more than halved the number of law firms appointed. The predecessor framework, established in 2009, saw 16 firms chosen.

The new framework has two lots – Lot 1 covers complex regeneration, development, property and planning and Lot 2 will handle the full range of legal services (including litigation, contracts, procurement, PPP/PFI, property and employment).

The successful firms appointed following the procurement, which was led by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, were:

Lot 1

Ashfords LLP

Bevan Brittan

Freeth Cartwright LLP

Sharpe Pritchard LLP

TLP LLP

Lot 2

Ashfords LLP

Michelmores LLP

Pinsent Masons LLP

Sharpe Pritchard LLP

TLT LLP

The successful firms have all agreed to provide additional benefits such as training and other knowledge transfer initiatives.

The framework is available to all participating members of the LBLA: Kensington & Chelsea, Brent, Camden, Ealing, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, the City of London Corporation and the West London Waste Authority.Haringey Council, although not a member of the alliance, will have access to the panel. Other authorities in London and the South East will also be able to take up this option.

Tasnim Shawkat, Bi-Borough Director of Law at Kensington and Chelsea, said: “This is a great outcome for the LBLA – delivering once again, a panel of firms committed to delivering exceptional service and supporting the challenging and wide ranging work being undertaken by our in-house legal teams. We are particularly pleased with the competitive rates achieved which show a reduction on those under the old framework.”

Vivienne Horton, Director at Kennedy Cater, which advised the LBLA on the procurement, said: “We are delighted by the response to this rigorous procurement process which has delivered firms with recognised expertise and experience in local government who are well placed to provide the LBLA authorities with legal support that fulfils the significant cost and quality criteria required.”

"Kennedy Cater has worked closely with the four Councils in Rotherham to provide an extremely helpful proposal for the development of shared service arrangements for legal services across South Yorkshire. This required them to have a full understanding of the issues, and the sensitivities, involved in developing these arrangements, and a pragmatic approach when formulating their proposal. Kennedy Cater demonstrated this understanding, and helped to progress our thinking in a very constructive way. We can now look to press ahead with the implementation of new service delivery arrangements that will drive down costs and improve the quality and resilience of service delivery."

Andrew Bedford, Strategic Director of Resources, Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council

Welcome to Merlin Housing Society who has recently joined the Housing Associations' Legal Alliance (HALA) as the ninth Member.

Step in the meerkat of the legal profession: a fast-growing business called Kennedy Cater that promises to save you money and get you better legal advice by connecting you to the best lawyer for your particular issue, often a barrister who accepts direct access clients.

To read the full story in The Telegraph click here.

The Housing Associations’ Legal Alliance (HALA) – a consortium of registered providers set up to drive down solicitors’ fees and share best practice – has added three new members.

For the full story in the The Local Government Lawyer please click here.