Public Sector Watch
The Lawyer
Government legal roster put on hold as services review delayed
The Government Procurement Service, formerly known as OGC Buying Solutions, has delayed a review of its legal services framework agreement by 11 months, with the new roster now due to come into place in May next year.
Suffolk legal chief's death was not result of bullying
An investigation by Suffolk County Council has cleared its chief executive of bullying allegations relating to the death of its head of legal services.
Southwark and Lambeth set up joint chambers panel
Southwark Council is to radically overhaul how it uses the bar by teaming up with Lambeth Council to create a chambers panel.
Nottingham universities set up joint legal roster
The University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University have completed a joint procurement process, as a number of universities revamp their panels ahead of planned public sector spending cuts.
Cambridgeshire councils team up to share legal services
Seven councils in Cambridgeshire have signed a concordat with a view to sharing expertise and forming a consortium of external advisers as part of an initiative called Cambridgeshire Legal Services Partnership.
Cambs, Northants mull combined legal function
The County councils of Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire are in preliminary talks to merge their legal departments.
Foskett J rejects Shoesmith's Baby P sacking claim
The former head of children’s services at Haringey Council Sharon Shoesmith has failed in the judicial review of her sacking following the death of Baby P.
North West authorities to set up database of adviser information
A group of North West local authorities is going to set up an online database to provide information on pricing and contacts for the firms and chambers they instruct jointly.
The O-word
Outsourcing. The word conjures up images of Indian call centres and protestors waving placards saying: “British jobs for British workers.”
Lovells finds a partner
“That’s one of the great things about this job. There’s always something new.” The words of HM Revenue & Customs general counsel Anthony Inglese.
Fees for expertise
News that the Law Society has hiked the cost of practising certificates by 18.6 per cent will have incensed many in the public sector (see story).
The Rose
It’s hard to escape Blackstone Chambers QC Dinah Rose at the moment.
Death by a Thousand Cuts
At the new Durham Unitary Authority, council leaders are serious about saving money.
