Provision of legal advice and counsel to NHS Essex Integrated Care Board for the duration of an independent statutory inquiry

The Contracting Authority (NHS Essex Integrated Care Board) has awarded a compliant Call-Off Contract to Mills and Reeve for provision of legal services under the NHS Commercial Solutions Framework Agreement for the provision of Legal Services (Agreement Reference Number: 5324-4903), in accordance with the Framework's specific guidance and rules. This is an NHS approved Framework for Legal Services.

The scope of this service is continuity of existing provision of legal advice and counsel to NHS Essex Integrated Care Board for the duration of an independent statutory inquiry investigating the deaths of mental health inpatients in Essex between 2000 and 2023 (the Lampard Inquiry).

The contract will run for 24 months commencing 01st April 2026 and expiring 31st March 2028. The aggregate contract value awarded is £2,785,134 excluding VAT.

This Contract Award Notice is being published in accordance with the requirements for sub-central contracting authorities, NHS Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts where the contract value is at least £30,000 inclusive of VAT in accordance with the Public Contract Regulations 2015, which govern the Framework Agreement his Call-Off Contract is associated with.