London Universities Purchasing Consortium: legal framework panel announced

Panel firms will advise five participating regional purchasing consortia over the next three to four years

The London Universities Purchasing Consortium (LUPC) Framework has announced its new legal panel. LUPC is one of six regional university purchasing consortia in the UK, which together form part of the UK Universities Purchasing Consortia (UKPC) group.

Firms were able to bid for appointment in respect of four lots: (i) commercial services; (ii) dispute resolution; (iii) human resources and employment dispute resolution, and (iv) ‘one stop shop’ services, comprised of a full range of legal and regulatory services, including education law, estates development, dispute resolution, corporate, commercial, construction, employment and immigration advice.

Universities and colleges of higher and further education, as well as other not-for-profit organisations in the education, arts, science, charity, and wider public sectors from the five participating regional purchasing consortia can access the panel’s services. As well as LUPC, the consortia include:

•    Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium 
•    North Eastern Universities Purchasing Consortium
•    North Western Universities Purchasing Consortium 
•    Higher Education Purchasing Consortium Wales 

Firms nominated to the panel include Addleshaw Goddard, Bevan Brittan, Brodies, Browne Jacobson, Clyde & Co, DAC Beachcroft, Eversheds and Pinsent Masons. 

Virginia Cooper, partner and joint head of higher education at Bevan Brittan, commented on the firm’s appointment to the provide one stop shop advice: 

“We’re really excited about being appointed to the LUPC framework and the opportunities this will bring. We already advise a number of higher and further education providers, and this appointment will enable the firm to further expand across the country. 

“With our excellent higher education knowledge, and ability to share experience from other sectors such as housing, local and central government and health, we look forward to building long lasting relationships with members across the participating universities purchasing consortia and supporting them in achieving their goals”. 

The framework went live on the 4 June 2021 and will run for three years plus an optional 12-month extension to 3 June 2025.