Local authorities instigate 'panel sharing' scheme

A consortium of 18 South of England local authorities have banded together to select a combined legal panel and have managed to cut their legal costs by up to a third in the process.

The consortium was led by the heads of legal at Salisbury District Council, Swindon Borough Council, Wiltshire County Council and North Dorset District Council.

Nearly 80 firms expressed an interest in the panel, with 26 invited to pitch. The nine successful firms, all from the regions, were Browne Jacobson, Davitt Jones Bould, Foot Anstey, Michelmores, Moore & Blatch, Paris Smith & Randall, Sternberg Reed, Veale Wasbrough and Weightmans.