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Public procurement advisory and disputes

Specialist legal expertise in public procurement advisory and disputes, guiding clients through the design and implementation of complex tenders and bid challenges to achieve successful outcomes.

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Our procurement lawyers work with authorities, utilities and bidders to navigate the complexities of public procurement to secure successful and legally robust contract awards.

Our procurement lawyers work with authorities, utilities and bidders to navigate the complexities of public procurement to secure successful and legally robust contract awards.

Using our extensive sector experience, the team supports buyer-side clients to develop, implement and manage complex, high value and often politically sensitive tender processes, providing practical and rapid advice to allow clients to meet their commercial, policy and strategic objectives.

Our significant experience in litigating some of the highest profile procurement cases in the UK Courts (representing both buyers and suppliers) allows us to properly assess and mitigate challenge risk throughout the tender process.

We also support supply-side clients to prepare and submit the best possible bids, and – where a bid has been unsuccessful – provide urgent and informed support at all stages of legal challenge, to ensure our client’s interests are safeguarded.

Recognised as thought leaders in UK procurement, our team has played a significant role in developing procurement policy and advising on the transition to the new Procurement Act 2023, by participating in industry events with the Institute for Government and Procurement Lawyers’ Association, as well as providing training and support to procurement practitioners.

We provide support and guidance throughout every stage of the procurement process, including:

  • Designing and structuring tender processes: including preparing procurement strategies, business cases and drafting tender documentation.
  • Supporting the implementation of tender processes: including the clarification, negotiation/dialogue and evaluation stages.
  • Preparing legally robust feedback for bidders
  • Developing bid strategies to enhance bid success and overall competitiveness.
  • Advising on minimising and mitigating challenge risk throughout tender processes.
  • Advising on both formal and informal bid challenges: including the provision of urgent strategic support during the standstill period.

Our expertise

Subsidy control

As leading experts in subsidy control, we help authorities and private sector entities navigate through the complex landscape of public funding.

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Our team

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Examples of our work

UK Vaccine Taskforce

Advised on the structuring, drafting and negotiation of contracts with Wockhardt, to provide the final stage in the manufacture of vaccines produced by Oxford/Astra Zeneca and others.

UK Atomic Energy Authority

Advised on procurement strategy, initial procurements, siting and associated contracts concerning the £ multi-billion programme for developing a new nuclear fusion reactor concept.

Atos IT Services UK

Advised on a procurement challenge against SoS for BEIS and the Meteorological Office, relating to the Met Office’s procurement of its new supercomputer.

Advised on the design and implementation of a competitive dialogue for the selection of a master developer for the £300 million+ Weavers Cross redevelopment in Belfast, NI.

FirstGroup and First Trenitalia West Coast Limited

Advised on their successful bid for the West Coast Partnership, followed by representation in High Court and Judicial Review challenges.

Bristol City Council

Advised on its circa £1 billion ‘first of a kind’ ground-breaking City Leap initiative, to secure a strategic partner to support its ambition to become a carbon neutral city by 2023.

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Learning hubs

P.A.T.H. (Procurement Act Training and Help) learning hub

We offer a Procurement Act Training and Help learning hub. Through this hub you can connect with our expert team and access practical guidance on transitioning to the new Procurement Act 2023.

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NHS Provider Selection Regime (PSR) Hub

Our PSR Hub provides access to online resources and identifies the specialists who are on hand to support you with the upcoming changes to the PSR.

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What others say

“The factor that distinguishes the procurement team is that they don’t just deliver academic opinions but they contextualise to provide practical advice and risk assessments.”

Chambers UK 2025

“Burges Salmon is one of the main players in the space. ”

Chambers UK 2024

“The team at Burges Salmon are really helpful at assisting clients in a pragmatic manner ”

Chambers UK 2023

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Insights

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