Related insights: Public, Government Services and Third Sector
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.
Charities Act 2022 - what are the latest changes?
27 Jun 2023
Following implementation of the first tranche of provisions of the Charities Act 2022 on 31 October 2022, the eagerly awaited second tranche of provisions came into force on 14 June 2023. Charities will welcome in particular the relaxations of the regime governing disposals of charity land and increased freedoms for trustees in dealing with permanent endowment property contained in the latest provisions.
A waste of time? In-term modifications to public contracts: recent caselaw developments and changes under the Procurement Bill
26 Jun 2023
There have been recent developments on the rules relating to contract modification which provide guidance on the application of regulation 72 of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR). The recent case of James Waste Management LLP v Essex County Council (James Waste) considers the issues in applying the rules on in-term modifications in detail expanding on previous cases such as the Edenred litigation and Gottlieb v Winchester County Council.
Technical consultation on the proposed Infrastructure Levy
13 Jun 2023
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), has sought views in advance of drafting regulations to implement its proposals. The consultation questions cover thresholds for applying the proposed Levy and the application of receipts. It is asking for views on how to deliver infrastructure and affordable housing, as well as a wider set of questions about how to introduce the Levy.
Examining changes to frameworks, direct awards and dynamic markets under the new Procurement Bill
02 May 2023
In our previous article titled "Examining changes to competitive tendering procedures under the new Procurement Bill", we explored some of the key changes to competitive tendering brought about by the new Procurement Bill (the Bill). In this article, we will provide analysis on the changes to frameworks, direct awards and dynamic markets as compared to the current procurement regime.
Are Universities subject to the Public Contracts Regulations 2015?
27 Apr 2023
Ever since the R v HM Treasury ex parte University of Cambridge case (reported in October 2000) there has been ongoing debate within the HE sector about the applicability of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR) to universities and variations as to how these are applied in practice. The debate was reignited in 2011 when David Willetts, the then Minister of State for Universities and Science, made the comment at the Conservative Party Conference that university funding reforms will mean that “EU public procurement rules will no longer apply to the vast majority of our universities.” No guidance or clarification was subsequently issued and as the Procurement Bill heads towards the end of its legislative journey, we thought it worthwhile to review this topic again.
New Standard Selection Questionnaire implementation date delayed
14 Apr 2023
Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 03/23 introduced a new Selection Questionnaire (SQ), which was due to be implemented by 1 April 2023 and which replaced the SQ issued with PPN 08/16. The implementation date has now been delayed until 1 June 2023 to allow time for the revised SQ to be incorporated into procurement processes and e-procurement tools.
Procurement Policy Note (04/23): Procuring Steel in Government Contracts
12 Apr 2023
The Cabinet Office has published a new Procurement Policy Note (PPN) on 'Procuring Steel in Government Contracts', which has replaced PPN 11/16 with immediate effect. PPN 04/23 applies to all Central Government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies when conducting procurements where steel is being procured directly or indirectly. The PPN applies to procurements covered by Part 2 of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 and the Concessions Contracts Regulations 2016.
Womble Bond Dickinson becomes first law firm to join The Solent Cluster
29 Mar 2023
Southampton-based international law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has become the first law firm to join The Solent Cluster, the first major decarbonisation initiative to substantially reduce CO2 emissions across the Solent and Southern England, aiming to make a major contribution in the UK's move to achieve Net Zero by 2050.
2023: The good, the bad faith and the metaverse
27 Mar 2023
Nearly a quarter in to 2023, and we are already seeing many interesting decisions from the UK and the EU courts and Intellectual Property Offices.
More changes and updates in the world of intellectual property are hotly anticipated, with Supreme Court decisions and potential post-Brexit legislation on the horizon.
Check out our commentary on some developments in IP in store for 2023 below.
More changes and updates in the world of intellectual property are hotly anticipated, with Supreme Court decisions and potential post-Brexit legislation on the horizon.
Check out our commentary on some developments in IP in store for 2023 below.
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