Procurement Law & Litigation

Procurement law broadly governs the process by which public authorities, including central and local government, and certain utility sector bodies, purchase goods, works or services, and usually requires a fair and transparent competitive tendering process.

The legal framework for public procurement is vast and complex, yet public authorities and utilities face serious consequences for non-compliance, including litigation by unsuccessful bidders. Nonetheless, constantly evolving procurement rules, case law and guidance render compliance difficult for purchasers, while affording bidders opportunities to challenge.

Our team of Competition lawyers thoroughly understand the legal complexities and has the specialist knowledge and expertise to provide commercial and strategic guidance and advice for both purchasers and bidders.

We structure and implement compliant tender processes, with effective evaluation and award methodologies, and help resolve any disputes that may arise. Our team delivers regular client training on ‘good practice’ to seek to avoid the risk of potential challenges.

Why choose our procurement law & litigation team?

• We are trusted by a large and diverse range of private sector clients to solve complex public procurement issues, advise on bid strategy and challenge public tender processes.
• Numerous public sector clients also entrust us on complex procurements, including central government, utilities, further education providers, charities, registered social landlords and over 100 Local Authorities across the country from Plymouth in the South West to Tyneside in the North East.
• Acting for both sectors has enabled us to gain a deep understanding of the issues involved and provide valuable advice on procurement processes, as well as avoiding, pursuing and/or resolving procurement challenges.

Our Competition lawyers also assist bidders to maximise their chances of making a successful bid. This can mean advice on bid content, or on raising clarification questions during the process to help understand and meet the authority’s requirements, and on when there is a non-compliant tender process that could make a bid unsuccessful.

We also advise tenderers on when to challenge a procurement process and/or a decision to award a contract to another bidder, as well as how to avoid falling foul of the strict and short time limits for doing so.

Call any member of our expert competition team to find out how we can help you.