Legal Advice and Support for Parcel and Plot Sales Administration and Conveyancing

This contract is being awarded in reliance on Ground 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023, namely that, due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier can provide the services required and there are no reasonable alternatives.

Mills & Reeve LLP has advised on the Manydown joint venture arrangements since the project's inception and has developed extensive knowledge of the legal structure, governance arrangements and land interests associated with the Manydown development. The firm has been closely involved in establishing and supporting the joint venture arrangements between Manydown Garden Communities LLP (MGC LLP) and Manydown Development Vehicle LLP (MDV LLP) and has acquired specialist knowledge of the complex legal documentation and transactional history underpinning the project.

MDV LLP has appointed Mills & Reeve LLP to provide legal services in relation to the disposal of development parcels and plots forming part of the Manydown project.

Given the interconnected nature of the services required, MGC LLP requires legal support from a provider that possesses detailed knowledge of the joint venture structure, land ownership arrangements and development documentation, particularly in relation to parcel and plot sales, conveyancing and associated land transactions.

MGC LLP considers that the appointment of an alternative legal adviser would require substantial time and resource to replicate the knowledge and understanding already held by Mills & Reeve LLP and would complicate the process of parcel and plot sales. This would create inefficiencies, duplication of cost and increased legal and transactional risk in relation to the delivery of the development programme and disposal strategy.

In light of Mills & Reeve LLP's unique knowledge of the project, its long-standing involvement in the establishment and operation of the joint venture, and its existing appointment by MDV LLP in relation to the relevant disposals, MGC LLP considers that there is an absence of competition for technical reasons and that there are no reasonable alternative suppliers capable of delivering the services with the required level of project-specific expertise, continuity and efficiency.