Section one: Contracting authority
one.1) Name and addresses
National Highways Limited
Three Snowhill, Snow Hill Queensway
Birmingham
B4 6GA
ancillaryprocurement@lowerthamescrossing.co.uk
Telephone
+44 03001235000
Country
United Kingdom
Region code
UK - United Kingdom
Internet address(es)
Main address
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/
one.4) Type of the contracting authority
National or federal Agency/Office
one.5) Main activity
General public services
Section two: Object
two.1) Scope of the procurement
two.1.1) Title
Lower Thames Crossing - Legal Advisers Phase 2
two.1.2) Main CPV code
- 79111000 - Legal advisory services
two.1.3) Type of contract
Services
two.1.4) Short description
Legal advice is required to support National Highways and the Department of Transport in all tasks relating to the delivery of the Lower Thames Crossing Project to the private sector under the Private Regulated Entity Model.
two.1.6) Information about lots
This contract is divided into lots: No
two.1.7) Total value of the procurement (excluding VAT)
Value excluding VAT: £1,350,000
two.2) Description
two.2.2) Additional CPV code(s)
- 79100000 - Legal services
two.2.3) Place of performance
NUTS codes
- UK - United Kingdom
two.2.4) Description of the procurement
Legal advice is required to support National Highways and the Department of Transport in all tasks relating to Phase 2 to transfer the delivery of the Project to the private sector under the Private Regulated Entity Model.
The main phases are expected to be as follows (model may be subject to alteration as detailed design progresses):
a) The setting up of a company (LTC Co), into which contracts, people and assets relevant to the construction, operation and maintenance of LTC and the Dartford Crossing will be transferred;
b) Establishing new legislation to enact the required model, including expanding the functions of an existing regulator or creating an Economic Roads Regulator, setting out its powers and duties and establishing the ability of LTC Co to impose and collect user charges for the use of infrastructure; and
c)The sale of LTC Co resulting in the creation of a privately owned Regulated Company (Reg Co).
two.2.5) Award criteria
Quality criterion - Name: Quality / Weighting: 80%
Cost criterion - Name: Commercial / Weighting: 20%
two.2.11) Information about options
Options: No
two.2.13) Information about European Union Funds
The procurement is related to a project and/or programme financed by European Union funds: No
Section four. Procedure
four.1) Description
four.1.1) Type of procedure
Award of a contract without prior publication of a call for competition in the cases listed below
- The procurement falls outside the scope of application of the regulations
Explanation:
This contract has been procured via a mini-competition process via use of the Crown Commercial Services (CCS) Framework - RM6179 Legal Services Panel - Lot 2.
four.1.8) Information about the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The procurement is covered by the Government Procurement Agreement: Yes
Section five. Award of contract
Title
Lower Thames Crossing - Legal Advisors Phase 2
A contract/lot is awarded: Yes
five.2) Award of contract
five.2.1) Date of conclusion of the contract
25 November 2025
five.2.2) Information about tenders
Number of tenders received: 4
The contract has been awarded to a group of economic operators: No
five.2.3) Name and address of the contractor
Ashurst LLP
London
Country
United Kingdom
NUTS code
- UK - United Kingdom
The contractor is an SME
No
five.2.4) Information on value of contract/lot (excluding VAT)
Total value of the contract/lot: £1,350,000
Section six. Complementary information
six.4) Procedures for review
six.4.1) Review body
High Court of Justice England
London
Country
United Kingdom