Official UK procurement notice
Provision of Legal Services
Authority: Nottingham Trent University (Education)
What is being bought8 lots · detail below
Published requirement descriptionProvision of Legal Services. The requirement will be divided into the following Lots:
Lot 1a - Property or Real Estate
Lot 1b - Construction
Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)
Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service)
Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution.
Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Services
Lot 5 - Student Matters
Lot 6 - Patent Management
- The authority expects to re-tender this requirement around 3 Mar 2034, 23:59 GMT.
- No preliminary market engagement: The university did not conduct any pre market engagement activities in relation to this tender.
CPV: Legal services
How this framework works
From the published notice- Type
- Closed framework · open framework scheme (admission reopens)
- Call-offs
- call-offs may be awarded directly or by further competition
- Bids received
- 10 bids on the busiest of 8 lots · 9 suppliers appointed
- Framework period
- 3 yrs · up to 8 yrs from 2 Mar 2026
- Scheme runs until
- 9 Mar 2034
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- None
Published description of the framework
NTU will engage Suppliers by placing individual assignments/instructions under the terms of the Framework Agreement.
The Call-off from this Framework Agreement is by means of the following two methods depending on the individual project requirements:
a) Direct award (NTU places individual order with Supplier without obtaining alternative quotations) due to urgency of timescales or Suppliers specialised expertise.
b) Quotation award (quotations obtained from all Suppliers assigned to an associated Lot for complex and larger projects in terms of scale).
c) Direct award - pursuant to a retainer arrangement (for instructions issued under Lot 2b only).
The university shall set best practice measures of obtaining quotations from all Suppliers for each requirement. However, NTU reserves the right to appoint work directly to Suppliers without quotations from all Suppliers, in appropriate circumstances.
Lots and requirements (8)Procurement structure
8 lots · all with a published value · same evaluation weights on every lotEvery one of these 3 lots carries the same published figure, £500,000: it is the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each lot's own budget, and no share per lot is published. The cards below say ceiling above rather than repeat it.
Lot #1Property (or Real Estate)AwardedRenewalPublished value£1,250,000
Legal advice, legal drafting and legal support in respect of: Acquisition, disposal and development; Conveyancing; Leasing and licences; Planning law; Landlord and tenant; Boundaries and ownership issues.
- Economic & financial standing
Please see publish tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see publish tender documents.
Lot #2ConstructionAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,250,000
Legal advice, legal drafting and legal support in respect of: Building contracts; Bonds, warranties, guarantees and insurance; Professional appointments and commercial frameworks; Litigation and disputes; Health and safety relating to construction; Environmental law.
- Economic & financial standing
Please see publish tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see publish tender documents.
Lot #3Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)AwardedRenewalPublished value£1,333,333
The University’s Human Resource Department wish to appoint a roaster of suppliers to be available to provide advice and guidance on a range of legal HR matters and ongoing support for legal cases. The University expects the appointed Supplier(s) to provide access to suitably qualified lawyers in a range of disciplines at short notice, and to demonstrate the added value they can offer to NTU for example, ongoing staff development, and updates on areas of HR law. The University does not wish to operate a formal retainer service for HR services going forward, but the University is keen to retain supplier(s) that can provide quick general employment related advice, as and when required.
- Economic & financial standing
Please see published tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see published tender documents.
Lot #4Human Resources (Retainer Service)AwardedRenewalPublished value£208,333
The University’s Human Resource department wish to appoint a single Supplier to be available to provide advice and guidance on a range of legal HR matters and ongoing support for legal cases. In exchange for a monthly retainer fee, the University expects the appointed Supplier to provide access to suitably qualified lawyers in a range of disciplines at short notice, and to demonstrate the added value they can offer to NTU for example, ongoing staff development, and updates on areas of HR law.
- Economic & financial standing
Please see published tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see published tender documents.
Lot #5Dispute ResolutionAwardedRenewalceiling above
To advise and/or represent in matters of litigation, which may include, but is not limited to: Resolution of disputes including litigation, adjudication and arbitration; Commercial and property related litigation; Health and Safety and Regulatory matters, including the defence of regulatory investigations and prosecutions; Personal injury litigation, including stress and disease claims; Reputation management, including defamation; Debt collection; Judicial review; Appointment and recommendation of Barristers; and Clinical negligence and complaints.
- Economic & financial standing
Please see published tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see published tender documents.
Lot #6Commercial and Corporate ServicesAwardedRenewalceiling above
Legal advice, legal drafting and legal support in respect of: Research grants and contracts; Collaborative ventures; Intellectual Property matters; Funding and finance models; Loan agreements between organisations; EU procurement law, Public Contract Regulations, tenders and contracts (or successive laws/regulations); Data protection and GDPR compliance; Freedom of Information; Equality and Diversity; Confidentiality agreements (NDAs) and knowledge transfer agreements; Funding agreements; Legacies and donations; Company Law and charity law, including taxation; Constitutional and governing documents; and Competition law, including State Aid. Trademarks General commercial contracts
- Economic & financial standing
Please see published tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see published tender documents.
Lot #7Student MattersAwardedRenewalceiling above
Practical legal advice, legal drafting and legal support on student matters, including but not limited to; Student academic appeals, student complaints, student disciplinary matters, fitness to practise issues and other student procedures and processes; Appeals submitted to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education (OIA) including the drafting of written submissions and liaison with OIA staff Compliance with the requirements of the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and other regulatory bodies in relation to the student contract for tuition (including fee issues)
- Economic & financial standing
Please see published tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see published tender documents.
Lot #8Patent ManagementAwardedRenewalPublished value£1,125,000
Practical legal advice, legal drafting and legal support on patent management, including but not limited to; Expertise and advice in relation to filling for patent applications; and Patent renewals (including reminders of patent deadlines)
- Economic & financial standing
Please see published tender documents.
- Technical & professional ability
Please see published tender documents.
What it takes to wini
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 morei
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).
Published sub-criteria (6)
- Technical Criteria: 30%
- Service Delivery: 30%
- Quality Criteria: 10%
- Service Innovation: 5%
- Commercial Offer Schedule: 20%
- Sustainability: 5%
Published award criteria (6)
- Technical Criteria
- Service Delivery
- Quality Criteria
- Service Innovation
- Sustainability
- Commercial Offer Schedule
- Price carries 20 of 100 points: a 10% discount moves about 2 points. The method statement decides this lot, not the discount.
- “Provision of Legal Services” is a framework: the contest is a place on its panel, 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
- Open procedure
- Legal basis
- UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
- Procurement category
- Services
- Notice status
- Awarded
- Procurement threshold
- Above threshold (FTS publication)
- Regulatory regime
- Standard
- Commercial structure
- Open framework scheme
- 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
- Yes (GPA)
- Recurring procurement
- Yes · next expected 3 Mar 2034
- First published
- 10 Sept 2025, 10:30 BST
- Last source update
- 25 Mar 2026, 08:22 GMT
- Award evaluation window
- Submission end – 5 Dec 2025
- Authority reference
NTU/25/2897/DS- FTS notice number
2025/S 000-055276- Latest notice
- Contract details notice (UK7)
- Classification (CPV)
- Delivery area
- Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-059751Find a Tender
How it was run
Official notice- Appointment period ends
- 15 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Clarification deadline
- 13 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Submission channel
- Official e-sourcing portal
- Electronic submission
- Allowed
- Accepted languages
- en
- Supplier levy on call-offs (max %)
- call-off levy · None
Timeline
10 Sept 2025 → 25 Mar 2026 · 8 dates- Tender notice published10 Sept 2025, 10:30 BST
- Clarification questions by380 days ago13 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Admission / appointment period ends378 days ago · period end, not a bid countdown15 Oct 2025, 12:00 BST
- Award decision expected by326 days ago5 Dec 2025, 23:59 GMT
- Assessment summaries sent264 days ago6 Feb 2026
- Standstill ends252 days ago17 Feb 2026, 23:59 GMT
- Contract starts240 days ago2 Mar 2026
- Latest notice published217 days ago25 Mar 2026, 08:22 GMT
Notice history
5 events · 3 releases on Find a Tender · since 10 Sept 2025- Tender notice published10 Sept 2025, 10:30 BSTUK4
- Contract award notice published6 Feb 2026, 11:32 GMTUK6
- Status changed to complete6 Feb 2026, 11:32 GMT
- Contract signature expected2 Mar 2026, 23:59 GMTscheduled
- Contract details notice published25 Mar 2026, 08:22 GMTUK7
Commercial outcome & contract awards
Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast£500,000 is the framework's published maximum, restated by the publisher on 3 award rows. It is one ceiling, not 3 separate sums, and no share per lot is published; those rows read “ceiling above”.
| Awarded to | Value | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lot 1 · Property (or Real Estate)1 award | |||
| Browne Jacobson LLP, Freeths LLP, MILLS AND REEVE2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | £1,250,000 | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 2 · Construction1 award | |||
| Freeths LLP, HCR Legal LLP, MILLS AND REEVE2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | £1,250,000 | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 3 · Human Resources (Ad-Hoc)1 award | |||
| Bevan Brittan, Freeths LLP, Shakespeare Martineau LLP2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | £1,333,333 | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 4 · Human Resources (Retainer Service)1 award | |||
| Eversheds Sutherland2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | £208,333 | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 5 · Dispute Resolution1 award | |||
| MILLS AND REEVE, Shakespeare Martineau LLP2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | ceiling above | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 6 · Commercial and Corporate Services1 award | |||
| Browne Jacobson LLP, MILLS AND REEVE, Shakespeare Martineau LLP2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | ceiling above | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 7 · Student Matters1 award | |||
| MILLS AND REEVE, Shakespeare Martineau LLP2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | ceiling above | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
| Lot 8 · Patent Management1 award | |||
| Barker Brettell LLPSME, Greaves Brewster LLP2 Mar 2026 – 1 Mar 2029 · up to 1 Mar 2034Extensions: There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total. | £1,125,000 | 6 Feb 2026 | Awarded |
Contracts
All 3 of these contracts carry the same published figure, £500,000, the framework's maximum for the whole notice, not each contract's own value. They are not eleven separate sums.
Lot 1a - Property (or Real Estate) · Browne Jacobson LLP, Freeths LLP, MILLS AND REEVE
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- £1,250,000
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 1b - Construction · Freeths LLP, HCR Legal LLP, MILLS AND REEVE
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- £1,250,000
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 2a - Human Resources (Ad-Hoc) · Bevan Brittan, Freeths LLP, Shakespeare Martineau LLP
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- £1,333,333
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 2b - Human Resources (Retainer Service) · Eversheds Sutherland
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- £208,333
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 3 - Dispute Resolution · MILLS AND REEVE, Shakespeare Martineau LLP
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 4 - Commercial and Corporate Service · Browne Jacobson LLP, MILLS AND REEVE, Shakespeare Martineau LLP
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 5 - Student Matters · MILLS AND REEVE, Shakespeare Martineau LLP
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- ceiling above
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Lot 6 - Patent Management · Barker Brettell LLPSME, Greaves Brewster LLP
- Signed
- 10 Mar 2026
- Value
- £1,125,000
- Period
- 10 Mar 2026 – 9 Mar 2029 · up to 9 Mar 2034 with extensions
- Status
- active
- Extensions
- The University is setting up an Open Framework, which is a series of successive frameworks as defined by the Act. This is the framework 1 of the scheme (NTU/25/2897/DS). There are a maximum of two frameworks under this open framework. This competition is for the award of framework one in the scheme of frameworks. Framework one will have a contract period of 36 months. Framework two will have a contract period of 60 months. The open framework will last 8 years in total.
Bid statistics published by the authority
| Lot | Bids | SME | VCSE | Valid bid range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 · Property (or Real Estate) | 10final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2 · Construction | 8final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 3 · Human Resources (Ad-Hoc) | 10final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 4 · Human Resources (Retainer Service) | 6final-stage tenders | 0 | 0 | — |
| 5 · Dispute Resolution | 7final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 6 · Commercial and Corporate Services | 9final-stage tenders | 2 | 0 | — |
| 7 · Student Matters | 6final-stage tenders | 1 | 0 | — |
| 8 · Patent Management | 8final-stage tenders | 3 | 0 | — |
Contracting authority & participating public bodies
Framework contractors & participating bidders
9 commercial parties on the notice- Barker Brettell LLPFramework contractor
- Bevan Brittan LLPFramework contractor
- Browne Jacobson LLPFramework contractor
- Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLPFramework contractor
- Freeths LLPFramework contractor
- Greaves Brewster LLPFramework contractor
- HCR Legal LLPFramework contractor
- Mills & Reeve LLPFramework contractor
- Shakespeare Martineau LLPFramework contractor
Official documents & specifications (36)
Official links; attachments are not copiedTender pack and attachments
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
- Signed contract
Show 4 more documents
Notices published for this procedure
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
- Contract details notice Contract details notice on Find a Tender
Show 9 more notices
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Contract award notice Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- Tender notice Tender notice on Find a Tender
7 further documents are listed in the JSON mirror.