Firms announced for PfS Legal Advisory Services Framework
23 June 2009
Partnerships for Schools (PfS) has confirmed the advisers for the Legal Advisory Services Framework which will provide professional support for local authorities as they deliver their Building Schools for the Future (BSF) projects.
There are now 17 law firms on the framework – five more than on the current framework of legal advisers. The 17 firms appointed to the framework are (in alphabetical order):
• Addleshaw Goddard LLP
• Beachcroft LLP
• Bevan Brittan LLP
• Burges Salmon LLP
• Dickinson Dees LLP
• DLA Piper UK LLP
• Eversheds LLP
• Mills & Reeve LLP
• Nabarro LLP
• Norton Rose LLP
• Pinsent Masons LLP
• Sharpe Pritchard
• TPP Law Limited
• Trowers & Hamlins LLP
• Walker Morris
• Ward Hadaway
• Wragge & Co LLP
Firms on the Legal Advisory Services Framework will be able to offer comprehensive legal support from the pre-procurement through to operational Local Education Partnership phase of BSF programmes.
Tim Byles, Chief Executive of PfS said: “It is now more than four years since PfS launched the adviser frameworks, and over this time we have seen the importance of local authority teams being able to easily access professional support which is committed to the objectives of the BSF programme, whilst also guaranteeing competitive rates and value for taxpayers’ money. The Legal Advisory Services Framework will also provide a forum to ensure that good practice is captured and embedded across BSF projects.
“BSF is about much more than simply bricks and mortar, it is an opportunity for schools and local authorities to transform where and how students learn and teachers teach, and to integrate new learning technologies with state-of-the-art buildings and facilities. The advisers on the Legal Advisory Services Framework will be able to bring experience and ideas to complement the skills and knowledge within local authority BSF teams to help them plan for, and deliver, truly inspirational schools of the future.”
The Legal Advisory Service Framework is one of four frameworks which support delivery of BSF, the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. BSF will provide world-class teaching and learning environments for all pupils, teachers and communities in England. The PfS adviser frameworks will help local authorities choose the right private sector partner to work with them in delivering educational transformation through new and rebuilt schools.
Notes to Editors:
1. The new Legal Advisory Service Framework will replace the existing framework which expires next month (July). It will run for two years with a possible extension of up to two years.
2. There are currently four BSF Frameworks in operation: Education and Children’s Services, Financial, Legal, and Technical. For more information see: http://www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk/programme/BSF_Frameworks.jsp
3. Building Schools for the Future (BSF) is the largest single schools capital investment programme for over 50 years. The aim is to rebuild or renew England’s state secondary schools estate during the lifetime of the programme.
4. 80 local authorities are now engaged in the BSF programme, with 20 Local Education Partnerships formed to deliver school building projects in these areas. Almost 90 schools have now benefitted from BSF investment across England.
For more information see: www.partnershipsforschools.org.uk/programme/school_search.jsp
5. Partnerships for Schools (PfS) is the delivery organisation for Building Schools for the Future. PfS was established in April 2004 as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB). PfS is a 120-strong organisation, with specialist expertise including educationalists, designers, ICT specialists, commercial managers and project management.
