Related insights: Public, Government Services and Third Sector
Raft of nominations for Womble Bond Dickinson at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards
30 Nov 2023
International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has been shortlisted for five awards at The Legal 500 Northern Powerhouse Awards. WBD is nominated for two Firm of the Year awards including ESG and Diversity and Inclusion and three of the firm's lawyers have also been shortlisted as leaders in their field.
Changes applying to the thresholds for public procurement in 2024
20 Nov 2023
On 26 October 2023, the government laid the Public Procurement (Agreement on Government Procurement) (Thresholds) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 (Regulations) before Parliament. The Regulations will come into force on 1 January 2024 and will only apply to procurements commenced after the regulations come into force.
Procurement update: Teleperformance Contact Ltd v Secretary of State for the Home Department
30 Oct 2023
The recent case of Teleperformance Contact Ltd (TCL) v Secretary of State for the Home Department [2023] EWHC 2481 provides important guidance for private sector suppliers operating via corporate groups who bid for public sector contracts. The case is also of importance to contracting authorities, as the judgment clarifies the position in respect of whether losses suffered by group companies can be considered in assessing whether damages are an adequate remedy for a claimant in procurement claims.
Updates to the Cyber Essentials Scheme
17 Oct 2023
The Government has updated its policy on the cyber security controls that it requires suppliers of certain public contracts to have in place. Procurement Policy Note 09/23 updates and replaces PPN 09/14 and applies to all central government departments, their executive agencies, non-departmental public bodies and NHS bodies (In-Scope Organisations). It must be implemented in new procurements by In-Scope Organisations by the end of December 2023.
Unlocking the potential of crowdsourced data: Policy guidance for the information revolution
05 Oct 2023
In an era characterised by rapid technological evolution, traditional approaches to data collection and analysis have undergone a remarkable transformation. Crowdsourced data and services have emerged as powerful tools that are transforming information gathering, processing, and utilisation for governmental organisations and private enterprises alike. This article delves into the intricacies of crowdsourced data, explores its lawful applications by institutions such as the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Intelligence Community (IC), and their overseas equivalents such as the UK Ministry of Defence, and underscores the need to address policy gaps. It also examines its synergistic relationship with artificial intelligence (AI) and highlights its impact on decision-making and business insights.
Racking your brain over RAAC? Crucial steps and potential claims
04 Oct 2023
Since the closure of various schools prior to students' return to studies this September, there has been an increased awareness of RAAC (or reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete). Issues relating to failing RAAC could affect public sector buildings and structures, such as schools, hospitals and prisons and also those in the private sector such as offices.
The impacts across the construction sector, in its widest sense, are not yet known – but what is clear is that hundreds of buildings and structures and thousands of people across the UK are affected, that immediate bridging solutions are vital and that longer term there needs to be more detailed remediation (or rebuilding) and money found to pay for it.
The impacts across the construction sector, in its widest sense, are not yet known – but what is clear is that hundreds of buildings and structures and thousands of people across the UK are affected, that immediate bridging solutions are vital and that longer term there needs to be more detailed remediation (or rebuilding) and money found to pay for it.
New social media guidance for charities
25 Sep 2023
On 18 September 2023, the Charity Commission published its new guidance for charities on using social media. For the first time, this guidance sets out in one place what the Charity Commission expects charities to do in relation to its social media use and sets out the related risks for trustees and how their legal duties apply.
In this article, Jo Coleman sets out a summary of the guidance and explains the actions that you and your teams should now take.
In this article, Jo Coleman sets out a summary of the guidance and explains the actions that you and your teams should now take.
A summer update of all things procurement law
18 Aug 2023
Whilst the government is in summer recess and there is a pause on the progress of the Procurement Bill, the world of procurement law continues. This update focuses on recent procurement law developments which will be of interest to both contracting authorities and private sector entities who engage in public contracts. It details recent caselaw developments, legislative developments (including a new PPN on Standard Contracts) and the latest position on the progress of the Procurement Bill through Parliament.
The hidden road to net zero: unlocking PFI's decarbonisation potential
08 Aug 2023
PFI projects can play a significant role in helping the public sector reach its net zero targets and Government has now published guidance on the decarbonisation of operational PFI projects.
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