Ofwat finalises first legal panel with three firms winning places
Water and sewerage regulator Ofwat has announced its first-ever legal panel with Addleshaw Goddard, Norton Rose and Wragge & Co making the mark.
This follows a tender process that began in November last year, replacing the watchdog’s previous approach to handing out work to firms on a case by case basis (19 November 2009).
Director of legal services Huw Brooker (pictured) said: “We have an excellent in-house team of legal experts, but the panel allows us to call on extra resources, skills and experience. It gives us more flexibility in bringing in legal support when we need it.
“Competition was strong throughout the procurement process. A large number of law firms applied and the standard of responses was extremely high. We appreciate the considerable time and effort which was given by the firms who tendered.”
The trio of successful advisers will focus on water regulation and competition and have been appointed for a period of four years.
Brooker added: “We’re pleased to be able to award framework agreements to the successful bidders. These three firms demonstrated excellent value for money approaches.
“The challenges the water sector now faces are different to those of the past. These firms have shown they have the experience and expertise to advise us in key areas of water regulation and competition law, as we seek to help meet these challenges.”
