Procurement

Northern Ireland has been, and is currently, involved in a high proportion of all UK procurement litigation. Cleaver Fulton Rankin’s high profile involvement in this ongoing litigation allows the team to advise clients, in a timely and efficient manner on any updated views of the Judiciary, which usually are, in turn adopted by the OGC.  Not only can the team defend or initiate procurement challenges, they can also advise on non-litigation procurement including information to be contained in OJEU notices, competitive dialogue procedures and the drafting of tender documentation. This ensures the smoothest and most efficient delivery of service to our clients.

The procurement team, who are also experienced in PFI and litigation, have sector experience in construction, energy, waste and utilities which ensures the team not only understand the complexities of procurement law and the disputes resolution but also specific industries.

The team has experience in acting for both contracting authorities and tenderers.  Leading clients include development companies, public authorities, professional consultants and English lawyers.

As indicated above the team have experience to act as lead advisors or as an extension to English Solicitor’s depending on the clients needs.  The team also has strong relationships with leading Procurement Counsel in both Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK which ensures that we can instruct the Counsel best suited to the client.

Recent relevant experience of the team includes:

  • Advising private sector clients on the public procurement process and guidelines;
  • Providing advice to Contracting Authorities on the procurement process and administration of same in accordance with EU Regulations.
  • Representing Contracting Authorities in challenges to awards at PQQ stage, award stage and post award stage.
  • Representing Economic Operators in invoking the Alcatel procedure to a successful conclusion
  • Advising a Contracting Authority throughout an adjudication procedure to ensure that the case as pleaded and tactical approach did not result in any breach of the Public Procurement Regulations
  • Advising and representing a successful tenderer as a Notice Party to a specific discovery application taken by an unsuccessful tenderer

All of our Procurement Team are members of the Procurement Lawyers’ Association.