Find a TenderAwarded without competitionContract details notice
Published 8 Oct 2026, 12:35 BST

Official UK procurement notice

Legal Advice for Employment Tribunal

Official notice

Authority: Velindre University NHS Trust 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. (Central government)

Direct award
Awarded value£500,000published award · exc. VAT
Awarded 29 Sept 2026no call for competition
Awarded 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

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
27 Oct 2026, 13:03 GMT
Authority reference
VEL-DIR (26-27) 104
FTS notice number
2026/S 000-101538
Latest notice
Contract details notice (UK7)
Delivery area
Wales (UKL22)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-0783aa Find a Tender
Why no open competition
Single Suppliers Intellectual Property Exclusive Rights
Published justification

Direct award approved under the Single Supplier Exemption process. The requirement is for specialist legal services falling within the exemptions set out in Schedule 2 of the Procurement Act 2023. Continuity of legal advice and specialist expertise are required, making a competitive process inappropriate

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

19 Oct 2026 → 27 Oct 2026 · 2 dates
  1. Standstill ends9 days ago
    19 Oct 2026, 23:59 BST
  2. Notice published37h ago
    27 Oct 2026, 13:03 GMT

Notice history

4 events · 3 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
  4. Contract details notice published
    27 Oct 2026, 13:03 GMT
    UK7

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1
Awarded value £500,0001 award exc. VAT
Contracts signed 1latest 27 Oct 2026
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 2026Awarded

Contracts

  • Legal Advice for Employment Tribunal · Bate Wells

    Signed
    27 Oct 2026
    Value
    £500,000
    Period
    27 Oct 2026 – 26 Nov 2027
    Status
    active

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Velindre University NHS Trust 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.

Contracting authorityPublic authority - 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 (4)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Tender pack and attachments

Notices published for this procedure

  • Contract details notice contractContract details noticeUK7Contract details notice on Find a Tender
  • Contract award notice awardContract award noticeUK6Contract award notice on Find a Tender
  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender