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11 October 2024 - Frequently Asked Questions document relating to the procurement process for Criminal Legal Aid Services from 1 October 2025 published.

We have today published a Frequently Asked Questions document relating to the procurement process for Criminal Legal Aid Services from 1 October 2025 and which can be found in the documents section at the top of this page.

Applicants are reminded that the deadline for the submission of tenders under Stage 1 of this procurement process is 23:59 on 22 October 2024.

Previous updates

17 September 2024 - 2025 Crime Contracts procurement process opens

We have today opened a procurement opportunity to deliver criminal legal aid services from 1 October 2025. It is open to both existing contract holders and new entrants. This application period opens on 17 September 2024. The LAA intends that the application period will remain open until on, or around, 30 September 2034, subject to the right of early termination.

Stage 1 of the process is for those who wish their contract to commence on 1 October 2025 and to be able to join Duty Rotas from this date also. Stage 2 will open on 23 October 2024 and close on 30 April 2025 and is for those who wish their contract to commence on 1 October 2025 and to be able to join duty rotas that commence in January 2026. Stage 3 will open on 1 May 2025 and will close on, or around, 30 September 2034.

The deadline for the submission of tenders under Stage 1 of this procurement process is 23:59 on 22 October 2024. To submit a complete tender under Stage 1 organisations must submit a response to both:

• The Selection Questionnaire (SQ); and
• The Invitation To Tender (ITT).

The Application Guide (AG) document is available in the documents section at the top of this page. The AG provides full details about the procurement process, including the requirements that Applicants must meet. Contract documentation is available on the 2025 Standard Crime Contract page

Tender responses must be made online through the e-Tendering system.

A helpline has been set up to support you if you have technical problems with the eTendering system: help@bravosolution.co.uk; 0800 069 8630.

If you have any questions about the content of the AG these must be raised through the e-Tendering system by 23:59 on 1 October 2024.

Questions of wider interest will be collated and answered through a frequently asked questions document which we anticipate will be published on this webpage during the week commencing 7 October 2024.

7 May 2024 - Headline intentions for 2025 crime services published

A headline intentions document is now available from the documents section above. It sets out our approach for criminal legal aid contracts from 2025.

We intend to begin the procurement process for the 2025 Standard Crime Contract in September 2024 for Services to commence on 1 October 2025.