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Published 8 Oct 2025, 12:05 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Legal Services Framework · UK public procurement notice

Official notice

Authority: Pool Re Services Limited (Public body)

Framework agreement2 lotsServicesCompetitive flexible procedureAbove thresholdLight touch regimeSME suitableAccelerated
Sectors: Business Services & Consultancy (79) Delivery: UK
Framework ceiling (notional)£9,000,000total for 2 lots · framework ceiling, not attributable revenue · 1 value update
Submissions closed 29 Oct 2025awarded 28 Jan 2026
Awarded to Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP +6 more2 awards
Framework period 5 yrsends 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2036 with extensions · starts 1 Apr 2026

What is being bought2 lots · detail below

Published requirement description

The Framework will be divided into two (2) Lots:

Lot 1 – General Legal Advice Services; and

Lot 2 – Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services.

The Lots are not exclusive, and Tenderers may bid to be appointed to one and/or both Lots.

Both Lots shall provide Legal Services predominantly in the law of England and Wales.

On occasion, depending on the nature of the engagement, Pool Re may require advice on the law of foreign jurisdictions in respect of the required specialisms, for either Lot. In the event that advice is required on the law of a foreign jurisdiction, the Provider and Pool Re shall agree in advance and in writing the approach to be taken in delivering the advice.

  • How the procedure runs: Selection stage, including a Procurement Specific Questionnaire. Suppliers may be down-selected for the next stage. Both Lots will have an Invitation to Tender stage. Lot 2 Suppliers may be down-selected for a Presentation stage. Lot 2 will have a Presentation stage. Pool Re reserve the right to modify the stages in this process.

CPV: Legal services

How this framework works

From the published notice
Type
Closed framework
Call-offs
call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
Places
up to 8 suppliers · 4 bids received (0.5 per place) · 7 appointed
Framework period
5 yrs · up to 10 yrs from 1 Apr 2026
Published description of the framework

If Pool Re decides to source Services through the Framework Agreement, then it will award the Services in accordance with the following award procedures:

•Where it is anticipated that the value of the Services required will be less than £5,000 (exc. VAT), the call-off award will be made by way of Framework Agreement Direct Award; or

•Where it is anticipated that the value of the Services required will fall between £5,000 and £25,000 (exc. VAT), Pool Re may in its absolute discretion choose to make an award by way of Framework Agreement Direct Award or Framework Agreement Mini Competition Award; or

•Where it is anticipated that the value of the Services required will equal or exceed £25,000 (exc. VAT), Pool Re will award by means of Framework Agreement Mini Competition Award.

Pool Re reserves the discretion to make a Framework Agreement Direct Award, regardless of value, to the same provider that delivered Services under a recent Engagement where, in Pool Re’s reasonable opinion, that provider has relevant knowledge and experience that would be of demonstrable benefit in terms of ensuring consistency, timeliness and/or value for money in delivery of the Services required. Pool Re may exercise this right regardless of whether such recent Engagement Agreement was awarded by way of Framework Agreement Direct Award or Framework Agreement Mini Competition Award.

Lots and requirements (2)Procurement structure

2 lots · all with a published value · same conditions of participation on every lot · evaluation weights differ by lot
Lot #1General Legal Advice ServicesAwardedRenewal 5 yrsSMEPublished value£2,250,000

The source published no individual description for this lot.

Contract period: 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 (5 yrs) · up to 31 Mar 2036 with extensionsValue: £2,250,000 exc. VAT · £2,250,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term. Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.
79100000 Legal services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Please see tender documents for further information

  • Technical & professional ability

    Please see tender documents for further information

Lot #2Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice ServicesAwardedRenewal 5 yrsSMEPublished value£6,750,000

The provision of a one-stop shop service for complex legal advice services covering the following specialisms and ancillary related work, with significant, demonstrable experience and expertise advising on these specialisms to Arm’s Length Bodies of HM Government Departments and regulated financial services firms (including dual-regulated non-Solvency II firms). This may involve advising on non-English law matters, either directly or via instructing local counsel (which shall be charged as a disbursement):

•Complex financial services regulation (including for dual-regulated Non-Solvency II firms e.g. reinsurance firms) and regulatory changes

•Complex insurance and reinsurance law (including expertise in wordings, regulatory issues, transactional work and claims handling and coverage disputes)

•Corporate finance and guarantees (including in favour of HMG stakeholders)

•Capital markets (including debt capital markets e.g. insurance-linked securities)

•Investment and asset management, including private equity investments

•Investment and commercial banking

•Complex public and administrative law matters, particularly in the context of Arm’s Length Bodies’ arrangements with their sponsoring departments

•Complex competition law and subsidy control law

•Complex corporate law matters (including corporate restructurings) with detailed input required from teams advising on the above specialisms

•Litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (including disputes relating to insurance and reinsurance claims, judicial reviews and contentious regulatory matters)

Tenderers appointed will look to provide value-added items to Pool Re at no additional cost. A non-exhaustive list of examples include:

•Regular relationship meetings with Pool Re, as reasonably requested

•Access to meeting space, as reasonably requested

•Relevant e-mail alerts, including training alerts

•Horizon-scanning product (specific and tailored to Pool Re) to be prepared on a quarterly basis, by rotation with the purpose of altering Pool Re to matters of interest or where there may be an impact with recommendations on how to proceed if applicable in a number of key areas.

•Access to client training brochures on an annual basis and working with Pool Re to deliver identified training

•Invitations and access to legal update briefings, seminars, conferences and events

•Invitations to masterclasses and industry events

Contract period: 1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 (5 yrs) · up to 31 Mar 2036 with extensionsValue: £6,750,000 exc. VAT · £6,750,000 inc. VAT
Eligibility: SME eligible
Extensions: Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term. Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.
79100000 Legal services
Pre-qualification & selection criteria (PQQ)2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Please see tender documents for further information

  • Technical & professional ability

    Please see tender documents for further information

What it takes to win
i

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 more
How bids were scored

Lots publish different evaluation splits; there is no single procedure weighting.

LotQualityPriceSplit
1 · General Legal Advice Services70%30%
2 · Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services80%20%
Lot distribution rule: The Lots are not exclusive, and Tenderers may bid to be appointed to one and/or both Lots. Pool Re intends to appoint a maximum of four (4) Framework Providers per Lot. As is also confirmed in both the PSQ and ITT, Pool Re will invite a maximum of six (6) Shortlisted Tenderers to submit Tenders for each Lot following the PSQ stage.
Conditions of participation · identical on every lot2
  • Economic & financial standing

    Please see tender documents for further information

  • Technical & professional ability

    Please see tender documents for further information

What this means for your bid
  • Price carries 20–30 points depending on the lot. Read the split per lot below.
  • “Legal Services Framework” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, up to 8 suppliers, not a single contract: call-offs may be direct or by further competition.

Price arithmetic assumes straight proportional scoring; the tender pack may use another formula.

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Competitive flexible 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
Not stated in the notice; call-off rights may be limited to the establishing authority
Competition type
Competitive procedure
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
8 Oct 2025, 12:05 BST
Last source update
13 May 2026, 12:50 BST
Award evaluation window
Submission end – 30 Jan 2026
Authority reference
PRE00049
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-063235
Accelerated
Light touch contract
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Classification (CPV)
Legal services
Delivery area
UK
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05aa63 Find a Tender
How it runs

Selection stage, including a Procurement Specific Questionnaire.

Suppliers may be down-selected for the next stage.

Both Lots will have an Invitation to Tender stage.

Lot 2 Suppliers may be down-selected for a Presentation stage.

Lot 2 will have a Presentation stage.

Pool Re reserve the right to modify the stages in this process.

How it was run

Official notice
Run through: Delta eSourcing · Who buys & how to bid on Delta
Public notice page · account needed to bidElectronic submission allowedLanguage: EN
Access & registration note: Free Select account; no DUNS asked at signup
Requests to participate (first stage)
29 Oct 2025, 14:00 GMT
Appointment period ends
29 Oct 2025, 14:00 GMT
Clarification deadline
29 Oct 2025, 14:00 GMT
Submission channel
Official e-sourcing portal
Electronic submission
Allowed
Accepted languages
en
Detailed submission instructions & authority contactsFrom official release

poolre.delta-esourcing.com/respond/5276Y4F56U ↗

Timeline

8 Oct 2025 → 13 May 2026 · 7 dates
  1. Tender notice published381 days ago
    8 Oct 2025, 12:05 BST
  2. Clarification questions by360 days ago
    29 Oct 2025, 14:00 GMT
  3. Admission / appointment period ends360 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown
    29 Oct 2025, 14:00 GMT
  4. Assessment summaries sent269 days ago
    28 Jan 2026
  5. Award decision expected by266 days ago
    30 Jan 2026, 23:59 GMT
  6. Contract starts206 days ago
    1 Apr 2026, 00:00 BST
  7. Latest notice published164 days ago
    13 May 2026, 12:50 BST

Notice history

10 events · 6 releases on Find a Tender · since 8 Oct 2025
  1. Tender notice published
    8 Oct 2025, 12:05 BST
    UK4
  2. Tender notice published
    21 Oct 2025, 14:05 BST
    UK4
  3. Published value updated
    21 Oct 2025, 14:05 BST
  4. Contract award notice published
    26 Jan 2026, 19:05 GMT
    UK6
  5. Status changed to complete
    26 Jan 2026, 19:05 GMT
  6. Contract award notice published
    30 Jan 2026, 12:58 GMT
    UK6
  7. Contract signature expected
    6 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
  8. Contract signature expected
    20 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
    scheduled
  9. Contract details notice published
    13 May 2026, 12:49 BST
    UK7
  10. Contract details notice published
    13 May 2026, 12:50 BST
    UK7
Routine re-releases (6)
  • 2026-01: 1 release · 26 Jan 2026
  • 2025-10: 2 releases · 8 Oct 2025, 21 Oct 2025

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Suppliers appointed 73 awards · see the list ↓
Bids received 4
Named bidders 4published on the award notice
Contracts signed 2latest 28 Apr 2026
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lot 1 · General Legal Advice Services1 award
Bird & Bird LLP, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Burness Paull LLP, Clyde & Co LLP, MILLS AND REEVE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2036Extensions: Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term. Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.—26 Jan 2026Awarded
Lot 2 · Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services1 award
Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hogan Lovells International LLP, MILLS AND REEVE1 Apr 2026 – 31 Mar 2031 · up to 31 Mar 2036Extensions: Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term. Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.—28 Jan 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • Contract 1 · Bird & Bird LLP, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, Burness Paull LLP, Clyde & Co LLP, MILLS AND REEVE

    Signed
    28 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2031 · up to 30 Apr 2036 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term. Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.

  • Contract 3

    Signed
    28 Apr 2026
    Value
    —
    Period
    1 May 2026 – 30 Apr 2031 · up to 30 Apr 2036 with extensions
    Status
    active
    Extensions
    Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term. Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.

Bid statistics published by the authority

LotBidsSMEVCSEValid bid range
2 · Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services4final-stage tenders00—

Who bid

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

Pool Re Services Limited

Contracting authorityPublic authority - sub-central government GB-PPON: PMWL-1715-XLYD Equitable House, 47 King William Street, London, London, EC4R 9AFContact name, email, phone

Framework contractors & participating bidders

7 commercial parties on the notice
  • Bird&Bird LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: OC340318 12 New Fetter Lane,, London, London, EC4A 1GPContact email
  • Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP (BCLP)Framework contractorGB-COH: OC315919 Governor's House,, 5 Laurence Pountney Hill, London, London, EC4R 0BRContact email
  • Burness Paull LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: SO300380 50 Lothian Road,, Edinburgh,, Scotland, EH3 9WJContact email
  • Clyde & Co LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: OC326539 The St. Botolph Building, 138 Houndsditch, London, London, EC3A 7ARContact email
  • Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: OC310989 EXCHANGE HOUSE, PRIMROSE STREET, London, London, EC2A 2EGContact email
  • Hogan Lovells International LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: OC323639 ATLANTIC HOUSE, HOLBORN VIADUCT, London, London, EC1A 2FGContact email
  • Mills & Reeve LLPFramework contractorGB-COH: OC326165 24 King William Street, London, London, EC4R 9ATContact email

Official documents & specifications (6)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender
  • Tender notice tenderTender noticeUK4Tender notice on Find a Tender