HALA Legal Services (Solicitors) Framework

The Housing Associations’ Legal Alliance (HALA) members wish to enter into a framework agreement with a number of legal advisers in relation to legal services.

The legal services, under the Framework, will cover seven (7) lots. These are:

Lot 1: Corporate, Governance & Finance

Lot 2: Housing & Asset Management

Lot 3: Development

Lot 4: Commercial Property

Lot 5: Residential Property

Lot 6: Employment

Lot 7: Construction Litigation

The organisations appointed shall provide legal advisory services to the HALA Members in relation to Development work for which the HALA Members require legal input, including but not limited to:

PLANNING:

• Planning advice
• Planning Agreements e.g. s.106 and s.111

DEVELOPMENT:

• Establishing development-related management companies including joint ventures
• Governance structures, in relation to Development / Joint Ventures
• Public private partnerships
• Development Funding (including HCA Help to Buy agreements)
• PFIs, including procurement for school PFIs
• Procurement advice
• Frameworks for consultants and contractors
• Consultant appointment letters
• Compulsory Purchase Orders
• Acquisitions/disposals of land/buildings
• Acquisitions/disposals of tenanted stock
• Statutory Agreements e.g. s.38. 278, 104
• Development Agreements
• Construction Agreements (including collateral warranties)
• Grant agreements
• Management Agreements

•Novation agreements

• Parent Company Guarantees
• Wayleaves and other utility agreements
• ESCo/MUSCo leases and concession agreements
• Tenure, residential and affordable developments
• Bonds
• Building licences
• Site Assembly
• Contract amendments
• Development disputes (including litigation)
• Environmental issues
• Advice in relation to sustainability, regulations and compliance
• Building Safety Act advice and assistance
• Health and Safety, including fire safety and asbestos
• Care homes and later living properties
• Construction litigation advice

SALES:

•Shared Ownership, including setting up shared ownership schemes including;

odrafting lease incorporating requirements of planning agreements

•New Build Plot Sales

•Option to purchase

•Staircasing (not final and final)

•Resale/Assignment to new owner

•Open market sale

•Build to rent

•Easements

•Overage

•Lifting of restrictive covenants

•Surrenders

•Repossessions

•Managing Agent issues including those arising from Tripartite Agreements i.e. RP, Leaseholder and Managing Agent

•Energy supply agreements with residents

•Property taxation advice

•Lease management, including:

o licences to assign

o licences for alterations,

o deeds of variations,

o lease extensions

The Lot descriptions are not exhaustive. If the HALA Members and/or OCBs instruct the appointed organisations on matters not explicitly listed within the Lot description, the applicable Framework hourly rates or Fixed Fee, along with the terms of the Framework Agreement, will continue to apply and govern the charges.