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Legal Services Framework 2023

The National LGPS Framework for Legal Services is the third iteration of this Framework, and launched in 2023. With no joining fee and the ability to Direct Award on all Lots, access to highly-qualified Legal Services Providers has never been easier for LGPS Funds and Pools.

Overview

The Legal Services Framework is available for Further Competition and Direct Award until January 2027. Contracts awarded under the Framework may be for a period of up to seven years and up to 15 January 2034 at the latest. Please remember if you are using a Framework, your contract award must be completed by the expiry date of the Framework (although contracts let under the Framework can be for longer periods)

Lots

The Framework is split across 7 Lots:

  • Lot 1 - Full Service (England and Wales)
  • Lot 2 - Full Service (Scotland)
  • Lot 3 - Full Service (Northern Ireland)
  • Lot 4 - Investment (UK-wide)
  • Lot 5 - Benefit Administration, Employer Bodies and Governance (England and Wales)
  • Lot 6 - Benefit Administration, Employer Bodies and Governance (Scotland)
  • Lot 7 - Benefit Administration, Employer Bodies and Governance (Northern Ireland)

There are 12 providers on the Framework split across the 7 Lots:

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Provider
Addleshaw Goddard LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Brodies LLP
Burges Salmon
Burness Paull LLP
Cleveland & Co
Eversheds Sutherland
Freeths LLP
Gowling WLG (UK) LLP
Osborne Clarke LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP
Squire Patton Boggs

FAQs

The Public Contracts Regulations (PCR) 2015 apply to the Legal Services Framework, including all call-off contracts let via it.

No, there is no joining fee to use the Legal Services Framework.

The Framework may be used by:

  • Any LGPS administering authorities as defined in the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations 2013 (SI 2013/2356) (as amended) including the Firefighters’ Pension Scheme and Police pension schemes and any of their participating employing Authorities, or in relation to the LGPS in Scotland, any Administering Authority and any of their scheme employers as defined in the Local Government Pension Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (SSI 2018/141) (as amended);
  • NILGOSC in Northern Ireland and Employing Authorities as defined in the Local Government Pension Scheme Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2014 SRNI/188 (as amended);
  • The Board of the Pension Protection Fund (http://www.pensionprotectionfund.org.uk)
  • Any other Administering Authority or organisation of a public sector pension scheme or any public sector body or that requires pension related services;
  • Any common Asset Pool or Collective Investment Vehicle established by or on behalf of an Administering Authority or group of Administering Authorities; or any bodies, organisations or companies established by them for the purpose of operating on a collective basis.

The Legal Services Framework is available until January 2027.

Please remember if you are using a Framework, your contract award must be completed by the expiry date of the Framework (although contracts let under the Framework can be for longer periods).

Contracts awarded under the Framework may be for a period of up to seven years and up to 15 January 2034 at the latest.

Further Competition and Direct Award is available on all Lots of this Framework.

Procurement can take significant time and money both for the awarding Authority and the Service Provider. The National LGPS Frameworks are fully compliant with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. It reduces the time and costs associated with the procurement process by offering a facility that has already been competitively tendered. It aims to deliver access at the best possible price to high-quality, efficient and effective Legal Services Providers. Benefits include:

  • Shortened timescales
  • Reduced procurement and legal costs
  • Robust and transparent process with high level of due diligence and specialist support
  • Agreed Terms and Conditions of contract with providers
  • Enable access to specialist providers whose experience and quality has been tested
  • Comprehensive user documentation and support from Frameworks team
  • Provider ceiling prices established
  • Possibility to benefit from cumulative rebates

The following organisations worked together to establish this Framework, supported by the National LGPS Frameworks team, and procurement and legal specialists from Norfolk County Council:

  • City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council (as administering authority of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund)
  • City of Edinburgh Council (as administering authority of the Lothian Pension Fund)
  • City of Wolverhampton Council (as administering authority of the West Midlands Pension Fund)
  • LGPS Central Ltd
  • London Borough of Lambeth
  • London Pensions Fund Authority
  • Local Pensions Partnership Investments Ltd
  • Norfolk County Council (as administering authority of the Norfolk Pension Fund)
  • Northern Ireland Local Government Officers’ Superannuation Committee (NILGOSC)
  • Staffordshire County Council (as administering authority of Staffordshire Pension Fund)

Additional Resources

Access to Framework Documents - Legal Services

This page provides key details on how to access all the documentation for the Legal Services Framework.

Additional Documents

This page provides the Specification of Requirements for the Legal Services Framework, Sample Members Access Agreement and Sample Annex A.