Both Pinsent Masons and CMS Cameron McKenna have missed out on spots as nine firms were awarded places on the Scottish government’s legal services framework which is open to public sector bodies across Scotland.
Scottish firms Anderson Strathern and Harper MacLeod were the only two to win places on all of the six lots: contracts, commercial and corporate; debt recovery; litigation, reparation, employment and inquiries; major projects; property; and a one-stop shop.
DLA Piper won a sole place to provide property advice, with DWF taking a position on the major projects roster. Weightmans also gained a solitary engagement on the litigation lot.
Pinsents and CMS both missed out on slots having been on the previous panel with roles also being handed to Brodies and a handful of smaller Scottish outfits including MacRoberts, Morton Fraser and Thorntons. Pricing is understood to have played a key role in the procurement with the government saying it weighed bids on a 60/40 quality/price basis.
Harper Macleod chairman, Lorne Crerar, said: ‘Given the level of interest and high levels of competition during this procurement process, being appointed to the Framework panels is an achievement in itself, however this simply affords us the ability to bid for a wide range of tender opportunities. We look forward to competing for the opportunity to work with the Government and a wide range of public bodies over the next four years.’
The tender process, which was launched a year ago, was run by the Scottish Procurement and Commercial Directorate with the finalised framework available to over one hundred public bodies in Scotland, including NHS organisations, fire and rescue services, the Scottish police authority and the equality and human rights commission.
The former panel was renewed in 2011 and included eleven firms, namely Anderson Strathern; Biggart Baillie; Brodies; DLA Piper; Dundas & Wilson (now CMS); Harper Macleod; Ledingham Chalmers; Maclay Murray & Spens; MacRoberts; Morton Fraser and Pinsent Masons.
The current framework comprises:
Lot 1 – Contracts, Commercial and Corporate: Anderson Strathern, Harper Macleod, MacRoberts, Morton Fraser and Thorntons
Lot 2 – Debt Recovery: Anderson Strathern, Brodies, Harper MacLeod, Morton Fraser and Thorntons
Lot 3 – Litigation, Reparation, Employment and Inquiries: Anderson Strathern, Brodies, Harper MacLeod, Morton Fraser and Weightmans
Lot 4 – Major Projects: Anderson Strathern, Brodies, DWF, Harper MacLeod and MacRoberts
Lot 5 – Property and Related Matters: Anderson Strathern, DLA Piper, Harper MacLeod, Morton Fraser and Thorntons
Lot 6 – One Stop Shop: Anderson Strathern, Brodies, Harper MacLeod, Morton Fraser and Thorntons
michael.west@legalease.co.uk
For more on the current state of play in the Scottish legal market see: When the hurlyburly’s done – nationalism, devolution and another turbulent period for Scots law firms
