LEGAL SERVICES CALL OFF CONTRACT - SOUTHERN BRANCH

 9 Law Firms and 18 Local Authorities represented in ACSeS Southern Branch meet at Devizes Town Hall to sign a 3 year legal services call off contract.

The vision of ACSeS and its Members is to achieve excellence in Local Government by leading the way in Corporate Governance, Democracy and the Law.

 Members of ACSeS  Southern Branch have given a practical demonstration  of this vision by completing a pioneering scheme whereby 18 local authorities will have access to external legal services as and when they need it and at value for money rates.

The Call –Off contract has involved 80 law firms who responded to a national advertisement in The Law Society Gazette to express an interest, with 26 firms tendering for the work which spans a variety of areas of expertise. 9 law firms have  been appointed to whom these local authorities will award legal work as and when they need it. Contracts were signed on 1 September 2006 for 3 years with an option for a further year.

Stephen Taylor, Director of Law and Democratic Services at Swindon Borough Council and Branch Secretary of the Association, said:

''All the member authorities have put value for money as a top priority when sourcing legal work externally. It makes perfect sense for us to procure such services in partnership, thereby achieving more preferable rates, dispensing with costly and lengthy procurement expenses. The establishment of the panels of legal specialists creates a public sector – private sector partnership that we can benefit from, making sure that all the authorities involved ultimately get value for money for the taxpayer.''

The 18 participating authorities are: Aylesbury Vale District Council, Bournemouth Borough Council, Christchurch Borough Council, Dorset County Council, East Dorset District Council, Kennet District Council, North Dorset District Council, Poole Borough Council, Salisbury District Council, Swindon Borough Council, Test Valley District Council, West Dorset District Council, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council, Wiltshire County Council, Wiltshire Police Authority, Winchester City Council, Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead,  Wycombe District Council.

The law firms selected are: Browne Jacobsen, Davitt Jones Bould, Michelmores, Moore & Blatch, Foot Anstey, Paris Smith & Randall, Sternberg Reed Taylor & Gill, Veale Wasborough, Weightmans

For more information call John Crawford at Salisbury District Council or Stephen Taylor at Swindon Borough Council