A group of local authorities in the north west has announced the identities of the 15 firms appointed to carry out legal work over the next four years.
The North West Legal Consortium, which aims to pool legal resources across councils, combined authorities and other agencies, has chosen two new partners in Browne Jacobson and Capsticks.
Contracts are awarded to up to six firms in four groups of legal work: civil litigation, property, corporate governance and social care and education. A further 10 firms may be appointed to provide advice on projects, procurement, commercial and construction.
The partner firms have a representative on the consortium’s board and work on bespoke requirements such as training programmes and support to junior lawyers.
The other firms appointed are: Brodies, DAC Beachcroft, DWF Law, Forbes, Freeths, Geldards, Hill Dickinson, Mann Roberts Solicitors, MSB Solicitors, Muckle, Stephensons, TLT and Weightmans.
This is the fourth group of firms appointed since the group was formed 15 years ago to increase collaboration in the procurement and commissioning of legal services.
Anne Greenwood, chair of the NWLC management board, said: ‘By welcoming eight new firms and two new partners in Browne Jacobson and Capsticks, we look forward to the injection of fresh ideas and enthusiasm they will bring alongside those firms with which we already have established longstanding and trusted relationships.
‘NWLC continues to be embedded in our region, facilitating valuable collaboration in the procurement and commissioning of high-quality legal services for our members, which wish to maximise efficiencies and effectiveness of the external legal support they require to supplement their in-house provision.’
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is the lead contracting authority for the consortium, with members located across the north west including the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester and Lancashire County Council.
Tiffany Cloynes, head of local government and partner at Capsticks, said: ‘This appointment is key for the Capsticks team as it will provide the opportunity to support local authorities at a time when they are experiencing a high level demand. It will allow the NWLC partner councils to focus on the pressing needs in their communities rather than divide their attention on sourcing high-quality legal support.’
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