Representing more than 40 public organisations – including councils, combined authorities, waste disposal authorities, social housing agencies, emergency services, transport bodies, and police and crime commissioner offices – the consortium facilitates collaboration in the procurement and commissioning of legal services.
Following a detailed procurement exercise, NWLC awarded contracts to up to six firms in each of five lots (except for projects, procurement, commercial and construction where they appointed 10 firms).
DWF's work on the panel will be led by Manchester-based Partner and Head of Local Government, Colin Murray, a leading public procurement adviser.
DWF was appointed to four lots – for:
- civil litigation, prosecutions and regulatory;
- property, planning and environment;
- corporate governance, ethical standards and information law; and
- projects, procurement and commercial, which will be led by Simon Belfield, Julie Simms, Michael Gilmartin and Ciaran Wells, respectively.
Jonathan Branton, DWF's Head of Government & Public Sector said:
"This appointment underpins our ever growing national public sector practice, and further builds on our Central Government appointments across the country. DWF's Public Sector practice has advised on major projects around the country and continues to go from strength to strength. This appointment allows us to extend our reach further still in the key region of the North West."
Speaking on the re-appointment, Colin Murray said:
"This re-appointment is tremendous for DWF, solidifying our position as one of the top Public Sector teams in the country. DWF has a large presence in the North West, and we are delighted to be able to help authorities access locally sourced legal advice from our leading team of experts."
Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is the lead contracting authority for NWLC, whose members are located across the Cheshire, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside and North Wales local authority areas.
Members include the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester, Lancashire County Council, Cheshire Fire and Rescue, Lake District National Park Authority, Liverpool City Council, and the Office for the Police and Crime Commissioner for North Wales.
DWF's Public Sector team has advised on several major projects in the North West, including advising Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council, Manchester City Council, and Blackpool Borough Council on multiple high profile projects. The business was also recently re-appointed to the North East Procurement Organisation legal services panel, where it will provide similar services to its more than 900 associate members.
