A group of West Midlands local authorities has joined forces to establish its first framework for barristers' legal services.
Worth up to £60 million (plus VAT) over four years, the framework comes into effect on 14 September 2026. It has been developed to provide participating councils with streamlined access to high quality specialist legal expertise across a wide range of local government services.
The framework was managed by specialist legal consultancy Kennedy Cater, with City of Wolverhampton Council acting as lead contracting authority on behalf of the West Midlands Local Authorities partnership, comprising:
The framework is also open to local authorities across Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, the West Midlands and Worcestershire.
Tim Morel, Head of Public Sector at Kennedy Cater, said:
"This procurement is a prime example of how positive collaboration between local authorities can deliver outstanding benefits. From the outset the framework was designed to provide the tailored support these local authorities specifically require, from first class Chambers who additionally provide a raft of value added and social benefits, from providing legal training sessions, management information, secondments and legal surgeries to offering work experience, paid internships and pupillage opportunities specifically targeted to help improve social mobility for their communities for years to come."
Jeszemma Howell, Cabinet member for Governance and Digital, said: "This framework demonstrates what can be achieved when local authorities work together towards a shared goal. By combining our purchasing power, we have secured access to high-quality specialist legal support while ensuring value for money for the public purse.
"The framework will help councils obtain expert barristers' services efficiently and consistently, supporting the delivery of vital local services and helping us respond effectively to the legal challenges we face."
A total of 23 chambers have been appointed across nine specialist service areas covering adult and children's social care, governance and public law, criminal litigation and prosecutions, housing, planning, property, employment and licensing.
Lot 1 – Adult Social Services (10 Chambers)
3PB Barristers
11KBW
39 Essex
Cornerstone Chambers Ltd
Cornwall Street Chambers
Field Court Chambers
Kings Chambers
Landmark Chambers
No5 Chambers
St Philips Chambers
Lot 2 - Children’s Services (10 Chambers)
3PB Barristers
7 Harrington Street
11KBW
33 Bedford Row Chambers
Cornwall Street Chambers
Harcourt Family Law
Linenhall Chambers
No5 Chambers
St Ives Chambers
St Philips Chambers
The 36 Group
Lot 3 – Governance & Public Law, including Education (6 Chambers)
3PB Barristers
4-5 Gray's Inn Square Chambers
11 KBW
39 Essex
Field Court Chambers
Landmark Chambers
Lot 4 – Criminal Litigation & Prosecutions (5 Chambers)
No5 Chambers
No8 Chambers
St Ives Chambers
St Philips Chambers
The 36 Group
Lot 5 – Housing & Civil Litigation (8 Chambers)
3PB Barristers
4-5 Gray's Inn Square Chambers
Cornerstone Chambers Ltd
Field Court Chambers
Five Paper
St Ives Chambers
St Philips Chambers
The 36 Group
Lot 6 – Planning (7 Chambers)
3PB Barristers
39 Essex
Cornerstone Chambers Ltd
The Barrister Group
Francis Taylor Building
Landmark Chambers
No5 Chambers
Lot 7 – Property (6 Chambers)
3PB Barristers
4-5 Gray's Inn Square Chambers
39 Essex
Cornerstone Chambers
Five Paper
No 5 Chambers
Lot 8 – Employment (5 Chambers)
3 Pump Court
4-5 Gray's Inn Square
Field Court Chambers
No5 Chambers
The 36 Group
Lot 9 – Licensing (4 Chambers)
Cornerstone Chambers
Francis Taylor Building
Kings Chambers
St Philips Chambers