Partnership: east midlands practices beat 93 rivals for biggest-ever public/private legal deal

Four law east midlands firms have joined forces to participate in the biggest ever public/private legal partnership with 18 local authorities.


Ashfords, Browne Jacobson, Freeth Cartwright and Weightmans have launched a brand - called EM Lawshare - after beating 93 rivals to clinch agreements with the authorities to provide advice on issues ranging from civil litigation and planning to employment disputes. They have three-year contracts.


Jayne Francis, assistant head of legal services at Nottinghamshire County Council, led the bid process, which is expected to save the public purse £2.5 million over four years through 'reduced duplication'. She said: 'We see this as the start of a new era of working closely together and are very excited about all the benefits it will bring.'


Ms Francis said choosing the winners had been tough, but added: 'When assessing law firms, relevant public sector experience was regarded as essential. It was also important for firms to be sufficiently well-established to provide the type of service required by the large number of authorities involved.'


Nigel Snape, chairman of Solicitors in Local Government and solicitor at Malvern Hills District Council, said there was increasing co-operation between in-house local authority legal departments and private practice firms, combined with an 'innovative' approach from local government solicitors in providing services.


'The news of the partnership that has been created in the east midlands is evidence of both of these trends in action,' he added.


'I very much welcome this type of initiative and believe it strengthens the role of the in-house lawyer rather than detracting from it in any way. There will always be an element of legal work that local authorities need to outsource and this latest initiative will help ensure that this is provided in the most cost-effective manner, to the benefit of the authorities themselves and their communities.'