Public Procurement | UK Bar

11KBW is a highly renowned set regarded as a go-to for local authorities, NHS trusts and other public bodies. Its members are also regularly instructed by tenderers from a broad range of sectors, including the areas of real estate and transport, and secure a host of market-leading instructions. By way of example, they acted on behalf of the Good Law Project in two high-profile challenges brought against the Minister for the Cabinet Office ('Public First') and the Secretary of State for Health concerning the government's failure to publish details of contracts awarded for PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the challenges sought to challenge and scrutinise the award of COVID-19 research contracts to a firm owned by friends of senior ministers and political aides. Individuals at 11KBW have acted in many of the leading High Court claims brought under the Public Contracts and Utilities Contracts Regulations, and have also appeared in numerous judicial reviews concerning contract awards, such as R (Good Law Project Ltd) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Abingdon Health plc. At the forefront in developing procurement law into one of the fastest-growing areas of public law and litigation, it is, as one commentator noted, "a very strong set in public procurement law and a real leader in the field."

Monckton Chambers is an esteemed chambers which undertakes the full sweep of procurement cases on both the advisory and contentious fronts. The set receives instructions from tenderers and contracting authorities alike, and can assist with all stages of the procurement process. Members have experience in a variety of areas, from health and transport to utilities and IT. They are "nationally renowned for procurement work and have a great depth and range of expertise," according to an interviewee. One notable highlight this year was Siemens Mobility v HS2 & Bombardier Transportation/Hitachi Rail, a complex and high-profile procurement challenge to the contract for the provision of rolling stock for the HS2 project. The contract is estimated to be worth in excess of £2.5 billion. The set has also been active in a second high-profile HS2 challenge, this time put forward by Bechtel, regarding the construction of Old Oak Common Station.

Keating Chambers is a well-respected set that acts for both contracting authorities and bidders in high-profile procurement challenges. Members have valuable expertise in cases concerning the transport, healthcare and defence sectors, among others. The chambers was recently instructed by the Gambling Commission in a high-profile procurement case, Camelot and IGC v Gambling Commission. The case concerned procurement challenges brought by Camelot and its subcontractor, IGT, regarding the award of the hugely high-profile licence to run the National Lottery. Clients say: "Keating Chambers has extensive knowledge of procurement challenges and complex regulations."