Published date: 24 May 2017

This notice was replaced on 11 October 2017

This notice does not contain the most up-to-date information about this procurement. The most recent notice is:

Awarded contract (published 11 October 2017)

Awarded contract - This means that the contract has been awarded to a supplier.


Contract summary

Industry

  • Legal services - 79100000

  • Legal advisory and information services - 79140000

Location of contract

Any region

Value of contract

£15,000

Procurement reference

tender_134987/586449

Published date

24 May 2017

Closing date

29 October 2016

Contract start date

29 November 2016

Contract end date

31 August 2017

Contract type

Service contract

Procedure type

Other:

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

Yes

Description

Mr --- made a complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO), who found maladministration against Defra. The PHSO was unable to assess the extent of Mr ----- business or personal losses but made a number of recommendations resulting in the implementation of an Action Plan (agreed with PHSO).

The Plan (approved by the then Permanent Secretary) included the appointment of an Independent Assessor (IA) (barrister) to identify the extent of any losses incurred by Mr -----s businesses as well as an assessment of his personal losses and whether Mr ---- took steps to mitigate his losses. It took some time for those acting for Mr ---- to provide submissions to the IA.

The first IA appointed was unable to carry out the work due to the delay. A second one (Mr ---) was appointed in November 2015 who took the view that additional forensic accountancy advice was required. It has taken some time for Mr ----- and his representatives to provide the additional material requested following production of his preliminary report in the Summer. His final, detailed report is imminent.

Mr ---- now has court commitments which means that he will require additional support in order for him to produce an outline of his final report by the end of the year. Without this support the report will not be available until March 2017. He has identified -------, a junior Counsel within his Chambers, who is free to assist him straight away. The Attorney General's Office has given approval to appoint ------ at C panel rates (£80/hour) given the need to act quickly to protect Defra's reputation and to bring this made to a resolution. This is a more cost effective and quicker option that appointing a third IA

More information

Additional text

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Award information

Awarded date

19 December 2016

Contract start date

29 November 2016

Contract end date

31 August 2017

Total value of contract

£15,000

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

HANNAH CURTAIN

Address

HENDERSON CHAMBERS, 2 HARCOURT BUILDINGS, LONDON, EC4Y 9DB,

Reference

None

Supplier is SME?

No

Supplier is VCSE?

No

About the buyer

Address

DEFRA
London
SW1P 3JR
England

Email

Network.Procurement@defra.gsi.gov.uk