Hugh James is extending the support it can offer to public bodies in Wales, thanks to the latest National Procurement Service (NPS) framework exercise. It represents the largest number of lots awarded to a single law firm for this round.
Hugh James has been appointed to 13 separate lots across the framework to provide legal services to the public sector, for a period of up to 4 years. They cover a wide range of areas, including:
- Adult Social Services
- Child Social Services
- Civil Litigation
- Corporate Governance and Ethical Standards
- Criminal Litigation
- Education Law
- Employment Law
- Major IT & Commercial Contracts
- Planning and Environmental Law
- Property Law
- Welsh Government
- MIM: Major Projects Legal Advice
- MIM: Participating Organisations Project Advice
Hugh James has been advising public sector bodies for decades and is an incumbent supplier on the current legal services framework. Our client base includes Welsh Government, Natural Resources Wales, Social Care Wales, and Local Authorities across Wales.
Recent work has included supporting Welsh Government with the financing of an innovative loan scheme to prevent COVID homelessness; acting for Natural Resources Wales in a landmark case regarding mineral rights; advising on aspects of the A465 Heads of the Valleys road expansion scheme; the impressive International Convention Centre in Wales, as well as providing support to local authorities during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The contract award means that, under the NPS framework agreement, public sector bodies in Wales can now directly engage Hugh James for more legal advice and support when they need it, across a broader range of legal areas.
The firm will be hosting a series of events and activities between 1-12 March, to give public service staff in Wales a chance to meet the various legal teams, access their expertise and receive updates on the key issues most relevant to the sector. Public bodies will be contacted directly with further details on how to get involved and information will also be posted on the Hugh James website. In the meantime, if anyone would like to express an interest in attending, they can contact webinars@hughjames.com for more information.
Commenting on the news, Hugh James Partner and Head of Public Sector, Ioan Prydderch said today:
We’re delighted to be appointed to so many different lots under the new NPS framework – at such a critical time for public bodies. Our strong track record in supporting the sector means we understand the pressures it faces and have the strength and breadth of experience to support it effectively. We look forward to continuing to work with our existing clients, and supporting new ones across the public sector, as they seek to provide the best services for the people in Wales.”
