Browne Jacobson to provide legal services to public bodies across UK after appointment on inaugural YPO framework

Browne Jacobson will provide legal advice on issues including adult social services, planning, employment matters and commercial law to public sector organisations across the UK after landing a key contract with a major central purchasing body.

The UK and Ireland firm was appointed to all 10 lots of YPO’s first-ever framework for the provision of legal services for the public sector and other public bodies, such as local authorities, education institutions, police forces, fire and rescue services, NHS bodies, registered charities and central government departments. It runs from September 2024 for four years.

YPO is one of the UK’s largest public sector buying organisations, is 100% publicly owned and uses its procurement expertise, bulk buying power, and value-first approach to support customers in procuring goods and services.

The 10 lots are for childcare law; adult social services and community care law; general litigation; general conveyancing and routine property; general contracts, commercial and IT; planning, compulsory purchase, highways and environment; major or complex projects; local government law and corporate governance; employment law and pensions; and public health.

Craig Elder, Partner in Browne Jacobson’s government and infrastructure team, said: “As a new public sector framework formed by a longstanding central purchasing organisation, this has great potential to deliver high-value legal services to the public sector across the UK and we’re thrilled to be at the heart of this.

“This will be complementary to other public sector frameworks and offers another procurement route for public sector bodies that wish to partner with trusted law firms. 

“As a leading provider of legal services to local and central government, schools, universities and NHS trusts, this is testament to our profile in the sector.”

YPO is publicly owned by 13 local authorities and celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year. 

Agnieszka Gajli, Strategic Procurement Manager at YPO, said “Our commitment to delivering innovative and customer-led solutions is at the heart of our ways of working at YPO and we’re pleased to have launched the new legal services framework during a milestone year for the organisation. We recognise how vital it is that public sector organisations can compliantly partner with trusted law firms and would like to thank all the suppliers appointed for their co-operation and communication during the tender process.” 

Its range includes about 23,000 products and 100 frameworks, facilitating the purchasing of anything from computers and stationery to electricity and professional services.