UK legislation implementing the new EU Remedies Directive applies to procurements commenced on or after 20 December, affecting anyone involved in purchasing goods and services on behalf of public bodies in England and Wales. EU procurement legislation is already complex and wide-ranging, with an estimated 70 per cent of all UK public procurement challenges having been brought during the last two years. The new Directive looks set to increase this growing number of legal challenges faced by public bodies when awarding a contract, as it allows for the cancellation of signed contracts in certain circumstances, and for public bodies to be fined for non-compliance.
In order to raise awareness of the implications of this new procurement legislation, we have launched an online resource to provide those involved in public sector purchasing with free, expert legal advice on procurement issues.
The Mills & Reeve procurement portal (
www.mrprocurement.com) is the first dedicated website of its kind, and offers detailed information on all aspects of public sector procurement. The site will help to enable public bodies to comply with the relevant procurement legislation thereby avoiding costly and time-consuming legal challenges.
The site clarifies the implications of the EU procurement rules as well as explaining the compulsory selection and award processes that public bodies must follow. Featuring answers to over 100 commonly asked procurement questions, all in plain English, the website also offers a user-friendly procurement glossary, downloadable document templates and a regularly updated blog providing expert commentary on the latest cases and news in the fast-changing public procurement sector.
Commenting on its launch Kevin Calder, partner, Mills & Reeve said:
"Under this new legislation, public bodies risk the cancellation of a contract which is not procured in accordance with the rules, and may even be required to pay a fine. To date there is limited awareness of the implications of this new legislation. Our online resource centre will therefore provide an invaluable source of clear, concise, expert guidance for anyone involved in public sector purchasing."
We are in the vanguard of law firms embracing the digital revolution: their technology blog "Naked Law" was the first blog to be launched by a law firm. Other online resources provided by us include an award winning
Healthcare Resource Centre and leading family law site
www.divorce.co.uk. The Healthcare Resource Centre provides briefings and links for lawyers and managers working in the NHS and divorce.co.uk is a site aimed at helping families manage their way through marriage breakdown, separation and divorce.