Scope
Reference
PRE00049
Description
Pool Re wishes to establish a Framework Agreement ("the Framework") with multiple suppliers for the provision of Legal Services.
The procurement is being conducted under the Light Touch Contracts regime and is therefore subject to the applicable provisions within the Procurement Act 2023.
Providers appointed to the Framework will provide services in respect of the specialisms required for the specific Lot(s) to which they are appointed.
The Framework will be divided into two (2) Lots:
Lot 1 - General Legal Advice Services; and
Lot 2 - Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services.
The Lots are not exclusive, and Tenderers may bid to be appointed to one and/or both Lots.
Both Lots shall provide Legal Services predominantly in the law of England and Wales.
On occasion, depending on the nature of the engagement, Pool Re may require advice on the law of foreign jurisdictions in respect of the required specialisms, for either Lot. In the event that advice is required on the law of a foreign jurisdiction, the Provider and Pool Re shall agree in advance and in writing the approach to be taken in delivering the advice.
For more information about this opportunity, please visit the Delta eSourcing portal at:
https://poolre.delta-esourcing.com/tenders/UK-UK-London:-Legal-services./5276Y4F56U
To respond to this opportunity, please click here:
Commercial tool
Establishes a framework
Total value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2031
- Possible extension to 31 March 2036
- 10 years
Description of possible extension:
Pool Re anticipates entering into the Framework for an initial term of five (5) years with the option, exercised wholly at the discretion of Pool Re, to extend the Framework term for a period or periods not exceeding a total of 60 months in aggregate. Call-off contracts awarded from the Framework can be for any term.
Pool Re reserves the right to extend the Lots by varying durations.
Main procurement category
Services
CPV classifications
- 79100000 - Legal services
Lot constraints
Description of how multiple lots may be awarded:
The Lots are not exclusive, and Tenderers may bid to be appointed to one and/or both Lots.
Lot 1. General Legal Advice Services
Description
The provision of legal advice on the following (non-exhaustive) areas of law and ancillary related work, with significant and demonstrable experience advising on these specialisms to Arm's Length Bodies of HM Government Departments and regulated financial services firms (including dual-regulated non-Solvency II firms):
•Employment law, with an expertise in the following overlays: (1) financial services regulatory and (2) public law
•Public procurement law
•General commercial. Including contract drafting and advice
•Outsourcing, including TUPE
•Corporate law
•Corporate governance law
•Intellectual property and technology law
•Data protection law
•Real estate law
•Financial crime law and regulation
•Tax law
•Public and administrative law matters, particularly in the context of Arm's Length Bodies' arrangements with their sponsoring departments
Tenderers appointed will look to provide value-added items to Pool Re at no additional cost. A non-exhaustive list of examples include:
•Regular relationship meetings with Pool Re, as reasonably requested
•Access to meeting space, as reasonably requested
•Relevant e-mail alerts, including training alerts
•Horizon-scanning product (specific and tailored to Pool Re) to be prepared on a quarterly basis, by rotation with the purpose of altering Pool Re to matters of interest or where there may be an impact with recommendations on how to proceed if applicable in a number of key areas.
•Access to client training brochures on an annual basis and working with Pool Re to deliver identified training
•Invitations and access to legal update briefings, seminars, conferences and events
•Invitations to masterclasses and industry events
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Lot 2. Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services
Description
The provision of a one-stop shop service for complex legal advice services covering the following specialisms and ancillary related work, with significant, demonstrable experience and expertise advising on these specialisms to Arm's Length Bodies of HM Government Departments and regulated financial services firms (including dual-regulated non-Solvency II firms). This may involve advising on non-English law matters, either directly or via instructing local counsel (which shall be charged as a disbursement):
•Complex financial services regulation (including for dual-regulated Non-Solvency II firms e.g. reinsurance firms) and regulatory changes
•Complex insurance and reinsurance law (including expertise in wordings, regulatory issues, transactional work and claims handling and coverage disputes)
•Corporate finance and guarantees (including in favour of HMG stakeholders)
•Capital markets (including debt capital markets e.g. insurance-linked securities)
•Investment and asset management, including private equity investments
•Investment and commercial banking
•Complex public and administrative law matters, particularly in the context of Arm's Length Bodies' arrangements with their sponsoring departments
•Complex competition law and subsidy control law
•Complex corporate law matters (including corporate restructurings) with detailed input required from teams advising on the above specialisms
•Litigation, arbitration and alternative dispute resolution (including disputes relating to insurance and reinsurance claims, judicial reviews and contentious regulatory matters)
Tenderers appointed will look to provide value-added items to Pool Re at no additional cost. A non-exhaustive list of examples include:
•Regular relationship meetings with Pool Re, as reasonably requested
•Access to meeting space, as reasonably requested
•Relevant e-mail alerts, including training alerts
•Horizon-scanning product (specific and tailored to Pool Re) to be prepared on a quarterly basis, by rotation with the purpose of altering Pool Re to matters of interest or where there may be an impact with recommendations on how to proceed if applicable in a number of key areas.
•Access to client training brochures on an annual basis and working with Pool Re to deliver identified training
•Invitations and access to legal update briefings, seminars, conferences and events
•Invitations to masterclasses and industry events
Lot value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Framework lot values may be shared with other lots
Same for all lots
CPV classifications and contract dates are shown in the Scope section, because they are the same for all lots.
Framework
Maximum number of suppliers
Unlimited
Maximum percentage fee charged to suppliers
0%
Framework operation description
If Pool Re decides to source Services through the Framework Agreement, then it will award the Services in accordance with the following award procedures:
•Where it is anticipated that the value of the Services required will be less than £5,000 (exc. VAT), the call-off award will be made by way of Framework Agreement Direct Award; or
•Where it is anticipated that the value of the Services required will fall between £5,000 and £25,000 (exc. VAT), Pool Re may in its absolute discretion choose to make an award by way of Framework Agreement Direct Award or Framework Agreement Mini Competition Award; or
•Where it is anticipated that the value of the Services required will equal or exceed £25,000 (exc. VAT), Pool Re will award by means of Framework Agreement Mini Competition Award.
Pool Re reserves the discretion to make a Framework Agreement Direct Award, regardless of value, to the same provider that delivered Services under a recent Engagement where, in Pool Re's reasonable opinion, that provider has relevant knowledge and experience that would be of demonstrable benefit in terms of ensuring consistency, timeliness and/or value for money in delivery of the Services required. Pool Re may exercise this right regardless of whether such recent Engagement Agreement was awarded by way of Framework Agreement Direct Award or Framework Agreement Mini Competition Award.
Award method when using the framework
Either with or without competition
Contracting authorities that may use the framework
Establishing party only
Participation
Legal and financial capacity conditions of participation
Lot 1. General Legal Advice Services
Lot 2. Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services
Please see tender documents for further information
Technical ability conditions of participation
Lot 1. General Legal Advice Services
Lot 2. Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services
Please see tender documents for further information
Particular suitability
Lot 1. General Legal Advice Services
Lot 2. Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME)
Submission
Enquiry deadline
16 October 2025, 2:00pm
Submission type
Tenders
Deadline for requests to participate
29 October 2025, 2:00pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
30 January 2026
Award criteria
Lot 1. General Legal Advice Services
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 70% |
| Price | Price | 30% |
Lot 2. Major Projects and Complex Legal Advice Services
| Name | Type | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Quality | 80% |
| Price | Price | 20% |
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Competitive flexible procedure
Special regime
Light touch
Competitive flexible procedure description
Selection stage, including a Procurement Specific Questionnaire.
Suppliers may be down-selected for the next stage.
Both Lots will have an Invitation to Tender stage.
Lot 2 Suppliers may be down-selected for a Presentation stage.
Lot 2 will have a Presentation stage.
Pool Re reserve the right to modify the stages in this process.
Reduced tendering period
Yes
Light touch contract - no minimum
Contracting authority
Pool Re Services Limited
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PMWL-1715-XLYD
Equitable House, 47 King William Street, 47 KING WILLIAM STREET
London
EC4R 9AF
United Kingdom
Region: UKI31 - Camden and City of London
Organisation type: Public authority - sub-central government