AwardedAwarded 24 September 2026

HALA Legal Services (Solicitors) Framework

Southern Housing · Housing

In brief

Southern Housing awarded legal work to Trowers and Hamlins LLP, Bevan Brittan LLP and Clarke Willmott LLP and 18 others on 24 September 2026.

It is a framework worth up to £80,000,000 excluding VAT: the most the buyer expects to spend across all suppliers, not one contract.

The contract runs for 3 years, up to 4 years with extensions, starting 1 September 2026.

It is split into 7 lots, so a supplier can bid for part of the work.

The buyer says it is suitable for small and medium-sized businesses.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

What the notice says

The Housing Associations’ Legal Alliance (HALA) members wish to enter into a framework agreement with a number of legal advisers in relation to legal services. The legal services, under the Framework, will cover seven (7) lots. These are: Lot 1: Corporate, Governance & Finance Lot 2: Housing & Asset Management Lot 3: Development Lot 4: Commercial Property Lot 5: Residential Property Lot 6: Employment Lot 7: Construction Litigation

Lots

LotTradeValue
Corporate, Governance & Finance
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Corporate, Governance & Finance work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: CORPORATE: •Acquisitions and disposals •Stock transfers •New business opportunities •Amalgamations and restructuring •Joint ventures and subsidiaries •Corporate Policies and Procedures •Cyber-security and cyber attacks IT and information law: •Data Protection •System maintenance & support agreements •Defamation and the internet •Intellectual property Contracts and Procurement: •Commercial contracts (including Supporting People contracts) •Commercial Disputes •Dispute Resolution and Mediation •Procurement law GOVERNANCE: •Code of Governance •Corporate Governance •Constitutional Reviews •Board member powers and responsibility •Regulations •Company Law •Charity Law •Registered Provider Registration and PFI •Industrial and Provident Society Law •Care Quality Commission advice FINANCE: •Banking and Finance including: o Raising of bank funding o Capital markets issuance and hedging arrangements o Development draw-down funding (including contracts with the HCA / GLA) o Grant applications e.g. Big Lottery funding o Charging and security work o Taxation advice •Debt recovery advice •Miscellaneous advice such as occasional advice on such matters as Financial inclusion/general advice to tenants, consumer credit license issues, health & safety, building safety, defamation, fraud, insolvency, judicial reviews and public law issues including Human Rights Act. EMPLOYMENT: •General employment law advice The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.

Legal services£7,950,000
Housing & Asset Management
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Housing & Asset Management work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: ASSET MANAGEMENT: • Disrepair claims • Gas servicing and other access injunctions • Dilapidations GENERAL HOUSING ADVICE, SUCH AS: • Tenancy agreement advice • Anti-social behaviour advice, including domestic abuse advice • Housing benefit advice • Service charge advice • Supported and sheltered housing advice • Estate management board advice • Advice on complaints • Judicial Review • Welfare reform updates HOUSING MANAGEMENT POLICY ADVICE, SUCH AS: • Drafting and advising on new forms of tenancy and licence agreement • Rent setting advice • Policy drafting, approval and annual health checks • Advice on procedures – this may include drafting all or part of a procedure HOUSING LITIGATION, SUCH AS: • First Tier Tribunal advice and advocacy • Anti-social behaviour proceedings (including injunctions, committal) • Possession succession • Possession proceedings (all types), including: o Rent arrears procession proceedings o Non-rent arrears possession proceedings o Assured shorthold accelerated possession claims o Terminating licence agreements and obtaining possession • Unlawful assignments • Trespassers • Tenancy Fraud • Evictions • Enforcement / forfeiture • Supported housing disputes • Service charge disputes • Dispute Resolution and Mediation LEASEHOLDS: • Data protection • Energy supply agreements with residents • Building Safety Act advice and assistance • Managing agents contracts and service level agreements • Leaseholder disputes • Heat networks • Leasehold and shared ownership sub-letting • Deceased leaseholders where executors not meeting their obligations or where no monies in estate • Managing Agent issues including those arising from Tri-Partite agreements i.e. RP, Leaseholder and Managing Agent • Service charge issues (including sinking fund disputes) • Leasehold Valuation Tribunal advice and advocacy The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges

Legal services£33,160,000
Development
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Development work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: PLANNING: • Planning advice • Planning Agreements e.g. s.106 and s.111 DEVELOPMENT: • Establishing development-related management companies including joint ventures • Governance structures, in relation to Development / Joint Ventures • Public private partnerships • Development Funding (including HCA Help to Buy agreements) • PFIs, including procurement for school PFIs • Procurement advice • Frameworks for consultants and contractors • Consultant appointment letters • Compulsory Purchase Orders • Acquisitions/disposals of land/buildings • Acquisitions/disposals of tenanted stock • Statutory Agreements e.g. s.38. 278, 104 • Development Agreements • Construction Agreements (including collateral warranties) • Grant agreements • Management Agreements •Novation agreements • Parent Company Guarantees • Wayleaves and other utility agreements • ESCo/MUSCo leases and concession agreements • Tenure, residential and affordable developments • Bonds • Building licences • Site Assembly • Contract amendments • Development disputes (including litigation) • Environmental issues • Advice in relation to sustainability, regulations and compliance • Building Safety Act advice and assistance • Health and Safety, including fire safety and asbestos • Care homes and later living properties • Construction litigation advice SALES: •Shared Ownership, including setting up shared ownership schemes including; odrafting lease incorporating requirements of planning agreements •New Build Plot Sales •Option to purchase •Staircasing (not final and final) •Resale/Assignment to new owner •Open market sale •Build to rent •Easements •Overage •Lifting of restrictive covenants •Surrenders •Repossessions •Managing Agent issues including those arising from Tripartite Agreements i.e. RP, Leaseholder and Managing Agent •Energy supply agreements with residents •Property taxation advice •Lease management, including: o licences to assign o licences for alterations, o deeds of variations, o lease extensions The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.

Legal services£17,020,000
Commercial Property
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Commercial Property work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: PURCHASE AND SALE: • Property rationalisation including purchases, disposals, stock swaps, TUPE (employment issues) • Purchases/disposals of real estate (general) • Auction acquisitions and disposals • Title Investigations • Taking leases • Plot sales (commercial) • Tenanted sales initiatives • Tenanted transfers including overage agreements • Establishing property joint ventures • Consent issues relating to restrictions on title, including lifting of restrictive covenants • Construction contracts (including professional services contracts) • Overage • Property Taxation advice PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: •Easements •Agreements for lease/licences •Granting leases •Lease management, including: o licences to assign, o licences for alterations, o deeds of variation, o lease extensions, o rent review memoranda etc • Management Agreements • Advice relating to existing leases and management agreements • Commercial Lease renewals and surrenders • Ground rent issues • Serving section 25 and s26 notices and responding to the same when served • Novation agreements • Wayleaves and other utility agreements • Boundary dispute advice CONTENTIOUS COMMERCIAL PROPERTY & LITIGATION: • Property litigation • Dilapidations • Adverse Possession, including Traveller issues • Re-possession of premises • Dispute Resolution and Mediation The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.

Legal services£12,650,000
Residential Property
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Residential Property work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: PURCHASE AND SALE: • Purchases and sales of individual residential units (freehold/leasehold) • New build plot sales (freehold/leasehold) • Independent Supported Living purchases • Lifting of restrictive covenants • Auctions • Sales under Right To Buy, Right To Acquire / Social HomeBuy PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: • Easements • Leasehold enfranchisement • Absent landlords (overseas etc) • Boundary dispute advice • Energy supply agreements with residents • Service charge issues (including sinking fund disputes) • Leasehold Valuation Tribunal advice and advocacy SHARED OWNERSHIP: •Staircasing (not final and final) •New Build plot sales •Resale/Assignment to new owner •Easements • Lifting of restrictive covenants • Surrenders • Repossessions • Managing Agent issues including; o those arising from Tripartite Agreements i.e. RP, Leaseholder and Managing Agent • Lease management e.g. o licences to assign, o licences for alterations, o deeds of variations, lease extensions The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.

Legal services£9,160,000
Employment
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Employment work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: EMPLOYMENT ADVICE: •Recruitment and retention •Employment status •Employment contract issues • Employment & HR policies and procedures • Disciplinary and Grievance matters • Employee and industrial relations • Parental leave • Redundancy • TUPE • Agency workers • Hybrid and flexible working • Collective agreements EMPLOYMENT CLAIMS: • Employment Tribunal Claims • Employment Appeals Tribunal/Court of Appeal/Supreme Court proceedings • Employment Claims in the County Court and High Court • Unfair and constructive dismissal •Unlawful deduction from wages • Discrimination • Bullying, harassment and victimisation • Equal Pay • Defamation • Whistleblowing • Trade Union rights and industrial action • Judicial Mediation and other forms of dispute resolution/litigation avoidance • Confidentiality and settlement agreements • Special Severance Payments PENSIONS: • Pensions The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.

Legal services£6,900,000
Construction Litigation
1 September 2026 to 31 August 2029
What this lot covers

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Construction Litigation work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to: • Contentious Construction • Construction litigation, including; • Fire related defects • Cladding • Building Safety Act advice and assistance • BSA claims • Advice in relation to fire remediation • Advice in relation to boundary disputes • Contractor Insolvency • Adjudication • Dispute Resolution and Mediation The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.

Legal services£9,160,000

Who won

WinnerLotValueDates
Trowers and Hamlins LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP
Forbes Solicitors LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP
Devonshires Solictors
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
10 bids received
Corporate, Governance & Finance£7,950,000
Awarded 24 September 2026
SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP and MATHER JAMIE LTD- Trustees of the Will Trust of Eric Roderick Brook Drummond Deceased
Trowers and Hamlins LLP
Bevan Brittan LLP
Ward Hadaway LLP
Birketts LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Judge & Priestley LLP
Devonshires Solictors
MSB Solicitors Limited
22 bids received
Housing & Asset Management£33,160,000
Awarded 24 September 2026
SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP and MATHER JAMIE LTD- Trustees of the Will Trust of Eric Roderick Brook Drummond Deceased
Bevan Brittan LLP
TLT LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Hugh James
Foot Anstey LLP
Tozers LLP (SME)
Devonshires Solictors
28 bids received
Development£17,020,000
Awarded 24 September 2026
Bevan Brittan LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP
Forbes Solicitors LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Hugh James
Foot Anstey LLP
20 bids received
Commercial Property£12,650,000
Awarded 24 September 2026
SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP and MATHER JAMIE LTD- Trustees of the Will Trust of Eric Roderick Brook Drummond Deceased
HCR Legal LLP
Clarke Willmott LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Hugh James
Foot Anstey LLP
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
Sharratts (London) LLP
18 bids received
Residential Property£9,160,000
Awarded 24 September 2026
Bevan Brittan LLP
HCR Legal LLP
Weightmans LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Foot Anstey LLP
Tozers LLP (SME)
13 bids received
Employment£6,900,000
Awarded 24 September 2026
SHAKESPEARE MARTINEAU LLP and MATHER JAMIE LTD- Trustees of the Will Trust of Eric Roderick Brook Drummond Deceased
Bevan Brittan LLP
Forbes Solicitors LLP
Capsticks Solicitors LLP
Hugh James
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
21 bids received
Construction Litigation£9,160,000
Awarded 24 September 2026

Values as the award notice gives them, excluding VAT where stated.

Timeline

  1. Tender notice · UK4, notice 013653-2026
  2. Contract award notice · UK6, notice 090533-2026

About the buyer

Southern HousingLast 12 months

Procurements

62

Awards

34

Suppliers it has used most for legal

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From notice 013653-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 13 February 2026, last updated 24 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.