Legal Services

Location

Based in Bristol and takes place a minimum of 1 day per week in our Bristol Office

Description

To provide services that include high-quality, specialist legal advice with experience in the social housing sector.

Total Quantity or Scope

Brighter Places requires legal advice and representation across all aspects of housing law which includes: • Housing management and tenancy enforcement - including Notice to Quits, possession action, succession, abandonment and injunctions • Anti-Social Behaviour - including urgent injunctions, closure orders, committals, evidence preparation, risk assessment advice and post-order management designed to reduce harm and protect communities • Disrepair and fitness claims - full handling of pre-action protocol compliance, claim investigations, expert instruction, defense strategy negotiation, litigation and settlement negotiation • Building safety and compliance enforcement - including gas/electrical access injunctions, fire safety breaches, building safety act duties and all urgent compliance related actions • Leasehold and service charge - including Tribunal work, section 20, recovery actions and drafting of compliant documents • Rent and income related legal work - rent setting, non-routine arrears claims, injunctions, complex affordability cases and rent determination/tribunal support • Property disputes - including rights of access, engagement with managing agents or freeholders • Complex case escalation - multi-agency cases, safeguarding-related legal issues, hoarding, capacity related matters, dangerous occupants, and high risk customers • Representation at court and tribunal - full preparation, advocacy or counsel instruction, evidence bundling, litigation strategy and post hearing support • Any other relevant discipline to support the delivery of core landlord duties.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

The contract is for 3 years with the possibility of extending for 24 months

Award Criteria

CPV Codes

• 79110000 - Legal advisory and representation services

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price.

Legal Justification

The contract has been awarded without prior publication of a call for competition under a compliant framework agreement which permits direct award. The selected supplier is the incumbent provider with an established operational presence within the organisation, including on-site delivery, which is critical to maintaining continuity and service effectiveness. The supplier has demonstrated strong performance and continues to offer value for money, taking into account quality of service, cost, and delivery capability. A change of supplier would introduce operational risk, duplication of cost, and potential disruption to service delivery. The decision to award directly was therefore made in accordance with the framework terms to ensure continuity, minimise risk, and secure value for money.

Other Information

This contract was awarded via direct award under a compliant framework agreement in accordance with the Public Contracts Regulations 2015. The framework permits direct award without further competition. The supplier was assessed as offering value for money, taking into account quality, cost, and delivery considerations. The total contract value includes all extension options.