Contracting with local authorities and other public bodies

15 October 2012

Update for the profession: With the support and advice of  Nick Green QC (former Chairman of the Bar Council), the Bar Council, in conjunction with the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, has developed a template for contracts/agreements which may be used by sets of chambers, individual groups of barristers or ProcureCos when contracting with local authorities, and other public bodies generally to carry out legal advocacy and advice services.

The template was developed following discussions with the London Boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark. It was part of an exercise to agree a form of wording for the authorities to use for the purpose of their own procurement exercises, the first of which was conducted earlier this year. A copy of the Framework Agreement can be found here, and a copy of the detailed articles can be found here.

The Bar Council offers the template as an illustration of the types of contractual documentation which can involve ProcureCos and which are currently in use. It must however be emphasised that this is simply one model, and many other permutations and variations could arise and be workable. Anyone who relies upon this model will, of course, need to take their own legal advice to ensure that it is suited to their own particular needs.