Framework for Legal Advisory Services in relation to claims and disputes arising from Capital Works Projects including conciliation, mediation, adjudication and arbitration (excluding litigation).

The Commissioners of Public Works in Ireland (the “Contracting Authority”) is issuing this request for tenders (“RFT”). (The Contracting Authority invites tenders (“Tenders”) from economic operators (“Tenderers”) for appointment to a multi-supplier framework agreement (the “Framework Agreement”) for the provision of the services as described in Appendix 1 to this RFT (the “Services”). In summary, the Services comprise: Pre-conciliation, Conciliation (including Standing Conciliation where applicable), mediation, adjudication and arbitration legal services in relation to disputes arising under Public Works Forms of Contract as set out in the Capital Works Management Framework (‘CWMF’), and /or works contracted under other forms of contract commonplace in the Irish construction industry. Advisory legal services in relation to contractor claims and associated disputes arising on projects carried out under the Public Works Forms of Contract under the CWMF, and / or works (already or to be) contracted under other forms of contract commonplace in the Irish construction industry, that do not involve litigation. Arbitration legal services in relation to claims under the Arterial Drainage Acts. It should be noted that the Office of the Attorney General (the “AGO”) including the Chief State Solicitor’s Office (the “CSSO”) is the primary legal advisor to the Contracting Authority, and the Contracting Authority, will continue to obtain legal advice from that source. It is anticipated, however, that in certain limited circumstances, the CSSO may not be in a position to provide the support necessary and the Contracting Authority may require access to additional legal resources. For that reason, the Contracting Authority has identified the need to augment the legal services provided by the CSSO in certain limited circumstances with a Framework for Legal Services, and more particularly those Services as specified in this RFT.