Public Procurement | UK Bar

11KBW is a highly renowned set regarded as a go-to for local authorities, NHS trusts and other public bodies. Its members are also regularly instructed by tenderers from a broad range of sectors, including the areas of real estate and transport, and secure a host of market-leading instructions. Individuals at 11KBW have acted in many of the leading High Court claims brought under the Public Contracts and Utilities Contracts Regulations, and have also appeared in numerous judicial reviews concerning contract awards, such as R (Good Law Project Ltd) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and Abingdon Health plc. At the forefront in developing procurement law into one of the fastest-growing areas of public law and litigation, it is, as one commentator noted, "the leading procurement practice." Recent leading cases of note include International Game Technology Plc and Camelot UK Lotteries Ltd v Gambling Commission and Allwyn Entertainment Ltd. This was one of the most high-value and significant procurement cases of the past few years, which has redefined the law as to which claimants have the standing to be permitted to bring a claim.

Monckton Chambers is an esteemed chambers which undertakes the full sweep of procurement cases on both the advisory and contentious fronts. The set receives instructions from tenderers and contracting authorities alike, and can assist with all stages of the procurement process. Members have experience in a variety of areas, from health and transport to utilities and IT. One notable highlight this year was the continuation of Siemens Mobility v HS2 & Bombardier Transportation/Hitachi Rail, a complex and high-profile procurement challenge to the contract for the provision of rolling stock for the HS2 project. Following final government approval, HS2 Ltd confirmed that a Hitachi/Alstom JV has been awarded the contracts to build high-speed trains for the megaproject. Members of the set also appeared in IGT v Gambling Commission, an important claim against the Gambling Commission in respect of the award of the fourth National Lottery licence.

Keating Chambers is a well-respected set that acts for both contracting authorities and bidders in high-profile procurement challenges. Members have valuable expertise in cases concerning the transport, healthcare and defence sectors, among others. The chambers was instructed by the Gambling Commission in a high-profile procurement case, Camelot and IGC v Gambling Commission. The case concerned procurement challenges brought by Camelot and its subcontractor, IGT, regarding the award of the high-profile licence to run the National Lottery. Clients say: "The expertise of Keating's barristers in procurement matters is impressive across the board."