Government legal roster put on hold as services review delayed

A position on the framework, previously called Catalist, is regarded as a seal of approval for firms offering public sector and charitywork, although many ­advisers have expressed ­frustration at the meagre amount of work generated by the current roster.

A spokeswoman for the Government Procurement Service said the agency was working with the ­Government Legal Service on options to replace the current framework agreement, which had delayed the regular panel review.

Firms on the current framework expect the review to kick off in October or November ahead of ­reappointment next year.

The framework includes eight ’lots’, or panels, totalling more than 50 firms, from large City firms to niche practices. They can now continue to accept work from customers of the framework until 31 May 2012, as long as orders are completed within six months of this date.