The Solicitors Regulation Authority has invited law firms to tender for the provision of regulatory work.

The regulator is seeking to appoint a panel for three years that will coordinate:

  • dealing with court proceedings arising from interventions into law firms;
  • representation in recovery litigation;
  • defending and pursuing judicial review applications to include human rights challenges;
  • regulatory appeals; and
  • providing legal advice on a variety of subjects such as regulatory issues, data protection, freedom of information, and relevant aspects of European law.

This is the first time that the SRA has conducted a tender for this type of work. Until now the regulator, and previously the Law Society, instructed a small number of firms on an ad hoc basis.

Firms wishing to tender can apply for a tender pack by email from litigationtender@sra.org.uk or for an alternative format contact the SRA’s head of legal Jennifer Johnson on 01926 439706. The closing date for requests is 9 October 2009 and applications must be submitted by 2pm on 30 October 2009.