Procurement in local government
At Anthony Collins Solicitors, our specialist procurement lawyers support local authorities through every stage of the commissioning and procurement cycle. Our goal is to help organisations achieve successful outcomes while staying aligned with our core purpose: to improve lives, communities, and society.
With the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 23) coming into force on 24 February 2025, we are guiding contracting authorities, contractors, and providers across our key sectors through the transition. Our team combines technical expertise with a practical, problem-solving approach, helping local authorities navigate complex procurement processes, resolve disputes, and deliver major projects that drive real public benefit.
At the same time, we continue to advise on procurement regulations that remain relevant for contracts and frameworks established before the PA 23 comes into effect.
By combining deep sector knowledge with extensive procurement law experience, we work in partnership with clients to provide clear, strategic advice at every stage – from shaping procurement strategies and managing contract awards to handling procurement challenges and ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.
We help clients understand not just the legal frameworks, but also the broader purpose of procurement, offering insights on delivering value for money, achieving meaningful public benefit, and ensuring integrity in the entire process.
Our procurement services
Our specialist team of procurement lawyers advise and support local authorities on all aspects of procurement exercises and challenges, and the ongoing management of contracts once awarded, including:
- Ensuring compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, the Procurement Regulations 2024, and relevant guidance;
- Updating procurement strategies in line with the public body’s corporate plan;
- Supporting clients to ensure a successful procurement process, starting from business case development based on effective market engagement – this includes clear competitive flexible procedures;
- Helping contracting authorities to shape clear procurement policies, that explain how they will run procurement processes, directly award contracts (e.g. user choice services), reducing complexity for SMEs and embedding social value into contracts;
- Guiding clients on the lawful use of frameworks and dynamic markets under the PA 23, as well as framework agreements and dynamic purchasing systems under previous regulations;
- Providing integrated advice that considers related areas including contract law, data protection, governance, subsidy control and category-specific regulation;
- Advising on procurement challenges, assessing risks for both successful and unsuccessful bidders and guiding clients through dispute resolution;
- Delivering training and practical tools to equip teams with the knowledge and confidence to manage procurement effectively.
A Procurement Act guide for local authorities: updating contract procedure rules
With the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 23) due to come into force on 24 February 2025, now is the time for local authorities to update their Contract Procedure Rules (CPRs) to align with the requirements of the PA 23, the subsidiary regulations and reflect the Cabinet Office guidance that supports the interpretation of the new rules. It is a great opportunity to use this updating exercise to identify risk areas, potential efficiency gains, unnecessary barriers, and how to promote best procurement practice more generally.
Our short guide is very timely in light of the Best Value Guidance issued by the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 8 May 2024.
Contact us to discuss how we can support your procurement needs.
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