- AARON & PARTNERS LLP
- BATES WELLS & BRAITHWAITE LONDON LLP
- CAPITAL LAW LIMITED
- CLARKE WILLMOTT LLP
- EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND (INTERNATIONAL) LLP
- FORBES SOLICITORS LLP
- GELDARDS LLP
- SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP
- STONE KING LLP
- VEALE WASBROUGH VIZARDS LLP
- WARD HADAWAY LLP
- WEIGHTMANS LLP
- WILKIN CHAPMAN LLP
- WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (UK) LLP
Scope
Description
For the past few years, CPC has outsourced the contract management of its Legal Services framework agreement for various reasons, one of which being capacity internally. We have brought this framework back in-house with a new iteration of the framework.
Suppliers awarded are capable of delivering high-quality, cost-effective legal advice and representation to institutions such as schools, academies, colleges, universities, and educational trusts, as well as local authorities and the wider public sector.
Suppliers on this framework will cover a broad range of legal areas relevant to the education and the wider public sectors, including but not limited to:
Education Law
• Admissions, exclusions, and appeals
• Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
• Safeguarding and child protection
• Curriculum and assessment matters
• Ofsted inspection challenges and advice
• Parental complaints and disputes
• Student discipline and behaviour policies
Governance and Regulatory Compliance
• Advice on the constitution and governance of educational institutions
• Compliance with the Education Acts, Academies Act, Equality Act, GDPR, and Freedom of Information
• Support with policy development and statutory duties
• Liaison with DfE, ESFA, Ofsted, and other regulators
Employment and HR Law
• Employment contracts and staff handbooks
• Disciplinary and grievance procedures
• Employment tribunals and dispute resolution
• TUPE advice and organisational restructures
• Trade union negotiations
Property and Estates
• Acquisition, disposal, and leasing of educational premises
• PFI, PPP, and academy estate arrangements
• Land registration and title investigations
• Planning law advice relevant to education settings
Commercial and Contracts
• Drafting and review of commercial contracts and service level agreements
• Procurement advice including Public Contracts Regulations 2015 compliance
• Grant funding and partnership agreements
• ICT and software procurement, licensing and contracts
Corporate and Charities Law
• Academy conversion and re-brokerage legal support
• Group structures including multi-academy trusts (MATs)
• Charity law compliance and governance
• Company secretarial and filings (e.g., Companies House)
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
• Representation in judicial reviews and regulatory challenges
• Contractual disputes
• Debt recovery
• Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation
Criminal Law
• Damage to property and/or assets
• Fraud and theft
• Cybercrime
• Violence crime
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Contract 1
Suppliers (14)
- AARON & PARTNERS LLP
- BATES WELLS & BRAITHWAITE LONDON LLP
- CAPITAL LAW LIMITED
- CLARKE WILLMOTT LLP
- EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND (INTERNATIONAL) LLP
- FORBES SOLICITORS LLP
- GELDARDS LLP
- SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP
- STONE KING LLP
- VEALE WASBROUGH VIZARDS LLP
- WARD HADAWAY LLP
- WEIGHTMANS LLP
- WILKIN CHAPMAN LLP
- WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (UK) LLP
Contract value
- £10,000,000 excluding VAT
- £12,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Award decision date
23 February 2026
Date assessment summaries were sent to tenderers
23 February 2026
Standstill period
- End: 5 March 2026
- 8 working days
Earliest date the contract will be signed
16 March 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 30 March 2026 to 29 March 2029
- Possible extension to 29 March 2030
- 4 years
Description of possible extension:
This framework will operate on a 3+1 basis. The extension will be utilised so long as everything is running smoothly and the suppliers are in agreement.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
Information about tenders
- 14 tenders received
- 14 tenders assessed in the final stage:
- 2 submitted by small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
- 0 submitted by voluntary, community and social enterprises (VCSE)
- 14 suppliers awarded contracts
- 0 suppliers unsuccessful (details included for contracts over £5 million)
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Suppliers
AARON & PARTNERS LLP
- Companies House: OC307122
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXLN-4948-ZGHJ
Grosvenor Court
Chester
CH1 1HG
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@aaronandpartners.com
Website: https://www.aaronandpartners.com/
Region: UKD63 - Cheshire West and Chester
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
BATES WELLS & BRAITHWAITE LONDON LLP
- Companies House: OC325522
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZRV-8111-PTBJ
10 Queen Street Place
London
EC4R 1BE
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@bateswells.co.uk
Website: http://www.bateswells.co.uk
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
CAPITAL LAW LIMITED
- Companies House: 05841213
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMTD-7374-VCCD
Capital Building, Tyndall Street
Cardiff
CF10 4AZ
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@capitallaw.co.uk
Website: https://www.capitallaw.co.uk/
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
CLARKE WILLMOTT LLP
- Companies House: OC344818
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PGYC-3357-YDPZ
Burlington House Botleigh Grange Business Park
Southampton
SO30 2AF
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@clarkewillmott.com
Website: https://www.clarkewillmott.com/
Region: UKJ35 - South Hampshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
EVERSHEDS SUTHERLAND (INTERNATIONAL) LLP
- Companies House: OC304065
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PQZP-9267-GMPV
1 Wood Street
London
EC2V 7WS
United Kingdom
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
FORBES SOLICITORS LLP
- Companies House: OC433300
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMMP-2131-QPLJ
Gordon House Sceptre Way Walton Summit Centre
Preston
PR5 6AW
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@forbessolicitors.co.uk
Website: http://www.forbessolicitors.co.uk
Region: UKD45 - Mid Lancashire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
GELDARDS LLP
- Companies House: OC313172
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PPNZ-6759-TVNZ
4 Capital Quarter
Cardiff
CF10 4BZ
United Kingdom
Email: marketing@geldards.com
Website: http://www.geldards.com
Region: UKL22 - Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP
- Companies House: OC319029
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PXPX-4658-DTQQ
No 1 Colmore Square
Birmingham
B4 6AA
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@shma.co.uk
Website: https://www.shma.co.uk/
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
STONE KING LLP
- Companies House: OC315280
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTZR-6874-ZJPD
Upper Borough Court, 3 Upper Borough Walls
Bath
BA1 1RG
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@stoneking.co.uk
Website: https://www.stoneking.co.uk/
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): Yes
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
VEALE WASBROUGH VIZARDS LLP
- Companies House: OC384033
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PTVR-2428-HJBZ
Narrow Quay House, Narrow Quay
Bristol
BS1 4QA
United Kingdom
Email: bidteam@vwv.co.uk
Website: https://www.vwv.co.uk/
Region: UKK11 - Bristol, City of
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
WARD HADAWAY LLP
- Companies House: OC430614
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCJR-3564-XTZQ
Sandgate House
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 3DX
United Kingdom
Email: bids@wardhadaway.com
Website: http://www.wardhadaway.com
Region: UKC22 - Tyneside
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
WEIGHTMANS LLP
- Companies House: OC326117
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHWT-6172-VYXR
100 Old Hall Street
Liverpool
L3 9QJ
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@weightmans.com
Website: http://www.weightmans.com
Region: UKD72 - Liverpool
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
WILKIN CHAPMAN LLP
- Companies House: OC343261
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PCMZ-5432-GYQX
Cartergate House
Grimsby
DN31 2LJ
United Kingdom
Email: marketing@wcrlaw.co.uk
Region: UKE13 - North and North East Lincolnshire
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
WOMBLE BOND DICKINSON (UK) LLP
- Companies House: OC317661
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PYBM-6288-WNYY
4 More London Riverside
London
SE1 1AU
United Kingdom
Email: bids@wbd-uk.com
Website: http://www.womblebonddickinson.com
Region: UKI44 - Lewisham and Southwark
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Supported employment provider: No
Public service mutual: No
Contract 1
Contracting authority
CRESCENT PURCHASING LIMITED
- Charity Commission (England and Wales): 1130461
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PZPR-8554-XHNX
Procurement House, 23 Leslie Hough Way
Salford
M6 6AJ
United Kingdom
Email: tenders@thecpc.ac.uk
Website: http://www.thecpc.ac.uk/
Region: UKD34 - Greater Manchester South West
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government