Scope
Reference
SBS10531
Description
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) intends to put in place a Framework Agreement for the provision of Legal Services to be used by Approved Organisations for the following proposed Lots, which are under consideration during this preliminary market engagement:
▪ Lot 1: Governance, structure, transformation & public law
▪Lot 2: Healthcare & mental health
▪Lot 3: Employment
▪Lot 4: Procurement, commercial & contract
▪Lot 5: Property & construction
▪Lot 6: Technology & e-commerce, including IP & media law
▪Lot 7: Corporate finance, audit & insurance
▪Lot 8: Criminal
▪Lot 9: Legal recovery & collection
▪Lot 10: Counsel
▪Lot 11: Multi-disciplinary support
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £200,000,000 excluding VAT
- £240,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 10 November 2027 to 9 November 2031
- 4 years
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- GG - Guernsey
- IM - Isle of Man
- JE - Jersey
Engagement
Engagement deadline
6 February 2026
Engagement process description
NHS Shared Business Services (NHS SBS) is developing a fit-for-the-future framework to support the delivery of Legal Services across the NHS and wider public sector.
To help define the scope and structure of the new framework, NHS SBS is conducting a Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) exercise with suppliers. The aim is to gather market insight, assess supplier capability, and test the relevance of proposed lots before finalising the Lot and commercial structure, Specification and launching a formal procurement process.
The existing Legal Services framework is due to expire on 31/07/2027. This PME represents an important opportunity to shape the future of Legal Services procurement and ensure the framework aligns with the market capabilities, national priorities, local needs, and emerging innovation.
The proposed lot structure under consideration includes the following:
▪ Lot 1: Governance, structure, transformation & public law
▪Lot 2: Healthcare & mental health
▪Lot 3: Employment
▪Lot 4: Procurement, commercial & contract
▪Lot 5: Property & construction
▪Lot 6: Technology & e-commerce, including IP & media law
▪Lot 7: Corporate finance, audit & insurance
▪Lot 8: Criminal
▪Lot 9: Legal recovery & collection
▪Lot 10: Counsel
▪Lot 11: Multi-disciplinary support
PRELIMINARY MARKET ENGAGEMENT QUESTIONNAIRE
NHS SBS would like to obtain the markets views, suggestions, and proposals during this preliminary market engagement. All submissions will be treated confidentially. Please note, companies are not required to respond to all questions within the PMEQ.
Companies wishing to participate in the preliminary market engagement should complete the Preliminary Market Engagement Questionnaire (PMEQ) by 12pm on Friday 6th February 2026 via the following link:
POSSIBLE SUBSEQUENT ENGAGEMENT
NHS SBS may host open virtual forums (such as webinars) to engage further with the market following analysis of PMEQ responses. Within the PMEQ, companies need to confirm whether they would like to participate in such further engagement, and if so, provide contact details for their nominated attendee.
We are committed to working with suppliers who are dedicated to Sustainability and Social Value and there will be a significant weighting on this within the procurement documents.
NHS Shared Business Services Limited (NHS SBS) act in an Agency capacity for and on behalf of its customers (Approved Organisations) - existing and new. These comprise of NHS and social care organisations (whether acting individually, or on behalf of, or together as members of any consortia) along with any other public or private sector bodies which NHS SBS authorises to use the resulting Framework.
Our Approved Organisation list can be found on:
https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/services/framework-agreements-categories/
The eSourcing system NHS SBS will use is SAP Ariba. Please note that to register, you must have a valid DUNS number (as provided by Dun and Bradstreet) for the organisation which you are registering, who will be entering into a Framework if invited.
Participation
Particular suitability
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Contracting authority
NHS Shared Business Services Limited
- Companies House: 05280446
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PDVT-6171-VHCX
Three Cherry Trees Lane
Hemel Hempstead
HP2 7AH
United Kingdom
Email: nsbs.categorymanagementsourcing@nhs.net
Website: https://www.sbs.nhs.uk/
Region: UKH23 - Hertfordshire
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)