Official UK procurement notice
Barristers Framework Agreement for West Midlands Local Authorities (WMLA)
Authority: Wolverhampton City Council (Local council)·On behalf of: KENNEDY CATER LTD
What is being bought9 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionThe WMLA (West Midlands Local Authorities) is seeking to appoint a panel of specialist legal advisers to a Barristers Framework, with the object of achieving better value, enhanced service delivery and more efficient management of matters outsourced to external barristers. This is a new procurement, as the WMLA does not currently have a Barristers Framework in place.
The term of the Framework will be for an initial period of three (3) years with the option to extend for a further period of up to twelve (12) months
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 1 Jul 2029, 23:59 BST.
- No preliminary market engagement: A Pre-Market Engagement was published on 6th October 2025. Notice Identifier: 2025/S 000-063406 Procurement Identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05aadd
CPV: Legal advisory and representation services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Open framework
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 12 bids on the busiest of 9 lots · 22 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 3 yrs · up to 4 yrs from 1 Jul 2026
- Buyer regions
- UKG
Who may buy through it
The Contracting Authority is currently acting on behalf of the following Participating Authorities (together the "Participating Authorities"):
- Birmingham City Council
- Coventry City Council
- Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
- Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council
- Shropshire County Council
- Stratford-on-Avon District Council
- Borough of Telford and Wrekin
- Walsall Metropolitan Council
- Warwick District Council
- Wolverhampton City Council
The Framework will also be available for other local authorities within the West Midlands Region to access, namely any local authority within the following six counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands County, and Worcestershire.
Published description of the framework
Award work without reopening competition where it deems a Participating Barrister to represent the most advantageous solution for such Services as compared to other legal providers that are able to provide the Services; or
Award work following a mini-tender between legal providers capable of providing the required Services.
Lots and requirements (9)Procurement structure
9 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lotEvery one of these 9 lots carries the same published figure, £60,000,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Adult Social ServicesAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #2Children's ServicesAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #3Governance & Public Law, including EducationAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #4Criminal Litigation & ProsecutionsAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #5Housing & Civil LitigationAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #6PlanningAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #7PropertyAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #8EmploymentAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
Lot #9LicensingAwardedRenewalceiling above
The source published no individual description for this lot.
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
What it takes to wini
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
Evaluation split and conditions of participation as published; the tender pack may add morei
How this buyer will score bids.
The evaluation criteria and weights exactly as published on the notice, grouped by family (price, quality, social value and so on).
- Economic & financial standing
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
All conditions of participation are detailed in the tender documents, including the following requirements: bidder's financial capacity, legal capacity and technical ability.
All technical specifications related to this Framework Agreement can be accessed via the tender documents.
- “Barristers Framework Agreement for West Midlands Local Authorities…” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.
Procedure terms & legal framework
From the official record- Procedure method
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Light touch regime
- Commercial structure
- Framework agreement
- Who may use this agreement
- The Contracting Authority is currently acting on behalf of the following Participating Authorities (together the "Participating Authorities"): 1. Birmingham City Council 2. Coventry City Council 3. Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council 4. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council 5. Shropshire County Council 6. Stratford-on-Avon District Council 7. Borough of Telford and Wrekin 8. Walsall Metropolitan Council 9. Warwick District Council 10. Wolverhampton City Council The Framework will also be available for other local authorities within the West Midlands Region to access, namely any local authority within the following six counties: Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, West Midlands County, and Worcestershire.
- Competition type
- Competitive procedure
- GPA / WTO covered
- Unspecified in notice
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 1 Jul 2029
- First published
- 23 May 2025, 12:53 BST
- Last source update
- 21 Aug 2026, 15:58 BST
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 26 May 2026
- Authority reference
CWC24161- FTS notice number
2026/S 000-001979- Latest notice
- Contract award notice (UK6)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-052257Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 9 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
CWC24161 - Barristers Framework for WMLA -www.wolverhamptontenders.com ↗
Timeline
23 May 2025 → 21 Aug 2026 · 8 dates- Planning notice published23 May 2025, 12:53 BST
- Next notice expected1 Jul 2025, 23:59 BST
- Tender notice published286 days ago9 Jan 2026, 15:28 GMT
- Admission / appointment period ends256 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown9 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT
- Award decision expected by149 days ago26 May 2026, 23:59 BST
- Contract starts114 days ago1 Jul 2026, 00:00 BST
- Assessment summaries sent81 days ago3 Aug 2026, 00:00 BST
- Latest notice published62 days ago21 Aug 2026, 15:58 BST
Notice history
9 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 23 May 2025- Pipeline notice published23 May 2025, 12:53 BSTUK1
- Tender notice published9 Jan 2026, 15:28 GMTUK4
- Published value published: £60,000,0009 Jan 2026, 15:28 GMT
- Status changed to active9 Jan 2026, 15:28 GMT
- Procurement method changed9 Jan 2026, 15:28 GMT
- Deadline published: 9 Feb 2026, 12:00 GMT9 Jan 2026, 15:28 GMT
- Contract award notice published21 Aug 2026, 15:58 BSTUK6
- Status changed to complete21 Aug 2026, 15:58 BST
- Contract signature expected28 Aug 2026, 23:59 BSTscheduled
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Adult Social Services1 award | |||
| 11 KBW LIMITED, 39 Essex Chambers (Services) Ltd, 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, CORNWALL STREET LIMITED, Cornerstone Chambers Ltd, Field Court Chambers +4 more14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial term is 3 years with the option to extend by 1 additional year. This will commence on the actual contract start date. | £2,906,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Children's Services1 award | |||
| 33 BEDFORD ROW LIMITED, 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, CORNWALL STREET LIMITED, Harcourt Chambers, Linenhall Chambers, ST IVES BARRISTERS LIMITED +5 more14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £21,716,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Governance & Public Law, including Education1 award | |||
| 11 KBW LIMITED, 39 Essex Chambers (Services) Ltd, 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers Limited, Field Court Chambers, Landmark Chambers14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £1,832,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Criminal Litigation & Prosecutions1 award | |||
| No 5 Chambers Limited, No 8 Chambers, ST IVES BARRISTERS LIMITED, St Philips Chambers, THE 36 GROUP LIMITED14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £13,046,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 5 · Housing & Civil Litigation1 award | |||
| 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers Limited, Cornerstone Chambers Ltd, Field Court Chambers, Five Paper, ST IVES BARRISTERS LIMITED +2 more14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £6,056,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 6 · Planning1 award | |||
| 39 Essex Chambers (Services) Ltd, 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, Cornerstone Chambers Ltd, European Administration Ltd, Francis Taylor Building, Landmark Chambers +1 more14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £6,470,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 7 · Property1 award | |||
| 39 Essex Chambers (Services) Ltd, 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED, 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers Limited, Cornerstone Chambers Ltd, Five Paper, No 5 Chambers Limited14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £1,910,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 8 · Employment1 award | |||
| 4-5 Gray’s Inn Square Chambers Limited, Field Court Chambers, No 5 Chambers Limited, PUMP COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED, THE 36 GROUP LIMITED14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £4,334,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 9 · Licensing1 award | |||
| Cornerstone Chambers Ltd, Francis Taylor Building, Kings Chambers, St Philips Chambers14 Sept 2026 – 13 Sept 2029 · up to 13 Sept 2030Extensions: Initial Term of this contract is 3 years with an option to extend 1 x 12 months. This will be based on the actual start date of the contract. | £1,730,000 | 3 Aug 2026 | Awarded |
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Adult Social Services | 10final-stage tenders | 9 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Children's Services | 12final-stage tenders | 9 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Governance & Public Law, including Education | 6final-stage tenders · 8 at stage one | 5 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Criminal Litigation & Prosecutions | 5final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
| 5 · Housing & Civil Litigation | 11final-stage tenders | 8 | 0 | — |
| 6 · Planning | 9final-stage tenders | 9 | 0 | — |
| 7 · Property | 6final-stage tenders | 5 | 0 | — |
| 8 · Employment | 8final-stage tenders | 6 | 0 | — |
| 9 · Licensing | 4final-stage tenders | 4 | 0 | — |
Who bid
- won3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED · Greater London · 2, 5, 6
- did not winKEYVENTURE LIMITEDSME · North West England · 2
- won11 KBW LIMITED · Greater London · 2, 5
- won33 BEDFORD ROW LIMITED · Greater London · 2
- wonCORNWALL STREET LIMITED · West Midlands · 2
- wonHarcourt Chambers · Greater London · 2
- wonLinenhall Chambers · North West England · 2
- wonNO 5 CHAMBERS LIMITED · West Midlands · 2, 4, 6, 8, 5
- wonST IVES BARRISTERS LIMITED · West Midlands · 2, 4, 5
- wonST. PHILIP'S CHAMBERS LIMITED · West Midlands · 2, 4, 5
- wonTHE 36 GROUP LIMITED · Greater London · 2, 4, 5, 8
- wonNo 8 Chambers · West Midlands · 4
- won4-5 GRAYS INN SQUARE LIMITED · Greater London · 5, 8, 6
- wonCORNERSTONE CHAMBERS LIMITED · Greater London · 5, 6
- wonField Court Chambers · Greater London · 5, 8
- wonFive Paper · Greater London · 5
- won39 ESSEX CHAMBERS (SERVICES) LIMITED · Greater London · 6
- wonFrancis Taylor Building · Greater London · 6
- wonLandmark Chambers · Greater London · 6
- wonEUROPEAN ADMINISTRATION LIMITED · South West England · 6, 2, 5, 8
- wonPUMP COURT CHAMBERS LIMITED · Greater London · 8
- wonKINGS CHAMBERS LIMITED · North West England · 6, 8
- did not winOld Square ChambersSME · Greater London · 8
Bidders as named on the Procurement Act 2023 award notice. “Won” means the bidder holds an award on this notice.
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
2 public bodies on the noticeOther public bodies
- KENNEDY CATER LTDProcuring entityKennedy Cater (KC) is a legal consultancy appointed by the Contracting Authority to provide procurement support on the establishing of the Barristers Framework for WMLA. While Kennedy Cater supports this procurement process, the City of Wolverhampton Council, as a public body, leads this procurement.
Framework contractors & participating bidders
23 commercial parties on the notice · 22 awarded- 11 KBW LIMITEDFramework contractor
- 33 BEDFORD ROW LIMITEDFramework contractor
- 39 ESSEX CHAMBERS (SERVICES) LIMITEDFramework contractor
- 3PB MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITEDFramework contractor
- 4-5 GRAYS INN SQUARE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CORNERSTONE CHAMBERS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- CORNWALL STREET LIMITEDFramework contractor
- EUROPEAN ADMINISTRATION LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Field Court ChambersFramework contractor
- Five PaperFramework contractor
Show 13 more suppliers
- Francis Taylor BuildingFramework contractor
- Harcourt ChambersFramework contractor
- KEYVENTURE LIMITEDFramework contractor
- KINGS CHAMBERS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- Landmark ChambersFramework contractor
- Linenhall ChambersFramework contractor
- NO 5 CHAMBERS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- No 8 ChambersFramework contractor
- Old Square ChambersBidder / tenderer
- PUMP COURT CHAMBERS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ST IVES BARRISTERS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- ST. PHILIP'S CHAMBERS LIMITEDFramework contractor
- THE 36 GROUP LIMITEDFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (12)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Bidding documents and specifications
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
Show 3 more notices
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
- Pipeline notice Pipeline notice on Find a Tender