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Published 8 Oct 2026, 12:35 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Legal Advice for Employment Tribunal

Official notice

Authority: Velindre University NHS Trust (Central government)

Direct award
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: Wales (UKL22)
Awarded value£500,000published award · exc. VAT
Award in standstill 29 Sept 2026no call for competition
Award (standstill) to Bate Wells

What is being bought

Published requirement description

Provision of specialist legal advice and support in relation to an ongoing Employment Tribunal claim for Velindre University NHS Trust. The contract will provide ongoing employment law advice, strategic case management support, assistance with witness evidence and documentation, advice on legal risks and procedural matters, and support in preparation for Tribunal proceedings. A direct award to Bates Wells is proposed to ensure continuity of service, avoid delays and duplication of costs, and maintain access to specialist knowledge already established through previous support on this matter.Please note NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership (hosted by Velindre University NHS Trust) will manage this procurement on behalf of the contracting authority. Due to having the same identifiers, we're unable to reflect this in the notice options.

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1Awarded
Delivery: Wales
79110000 Legal advisory and representation services

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Direct award
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Unspecified in notice
Regulatory regime
Standard
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
8 Oct 2026, 12:35 BST
Last source update
8 Oct 2026, 14:01 BST
Authority reference
VEL-DIR (26-27) 104
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-095232
Latest notice
Contract award notice (UK6)
Delivery area
Wales (UKL22)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0783aa Find a Tender
Why no open competition
Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
Published justification

Bates Wells has already provided legal advice on the matter and possesses detailed knowledge of the background, chronology, individuals involved and advice previously given. Changing provider at this stage would result in duplication of effort, additional costs and delays to ongoing Tribunal proceedings.

Legal Services Exemption

Review and risk notes
Risks

There is a risk that the duration and complexity of the Employment Tribunal proceedings may change as the case progresses, resulting in a requirement for additional legal support. Further costs may be incurred if new evidence, witnesses, hearings or Tribunal directions arise. There is also a risk that appointing an alternative supplier could lead to delays, duplication of effort and increased costs, as a new provider would need to familiarise themselves with the case. Ongoing contract management and regular engagement with Bates Wells will be used to monitor performance and mitigate these risks.

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
—

Timeline

8 Oct 2026 → 19 Oct 2026 · 2 dates
  1. Notice published6 days ago
    8 Oct 2026, 14:01 BST
  2. Today
    15 Oct 2026
  3. Standstill endsin 5 days
    19 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST

Notice history

3 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 8 Oct 2026
  1. Transparency notice published
    8 Oct 2026, 12:35 BST
    UK5
  2. Contract award notice published
    8 Oct 2026, 14:01 BST
    UK6
  3. Contract signature expected
    23 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1some still in standstill
Awarded value £500,0001 award exc. VAT
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Bate Wells25 Oct 2026 – 24 Oct 2027 · up to 23 Oct 2028Extensions: The contract includes an option to extend for a further 12 months beyond the initial term. Any extension will be exercised in two six-month tranches, subject to satisfactory supplier performance, ongoing service requirements and approval by the Trust.£500,00029 Sept 2026standstill to 19 Oct 2026Standstill

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Velindre University NHS Trust

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central governmentWelsh devolved regulations apply GB-PPON: PXWV-6492-CGMN 4-5 Charnwood Court,, Cardiff, Wales, CF14 3UZContact name, email, phone

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • Bate WellsAwarded supplierGB-PPON: PZRV-8111-PTBJ 10 Queen Street Place, London, London, EC4R 1BEContact email, phone

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender