Harper Macleod wins Care Inspectorate tender

Harper Macleod has won a tender to work with the Care Inspectorate in respect of litigation matters. The appointment is the latest in a succession of high-profile tender wins under the new Scottish Government Legal Services Framework.

The Care Inspectorate is the independent regulator of social care and social work services across Scotland, and currently regulates around 15,000 services provided by organisations including local authorities, private businesses and charities.

The appointment will see Harper Macleod provide litigation services in relation to any judicial review proceedings or appeals brought to the Court of Session, and in relation to certain procedural matters in the Sheriff Court.

Professor Lorne Crerar, chairman of Harper Macleod, said: “We look forward to building a strong working relationship with the Care Inspectorate as it carries out its vital work in scrutinising social services and supporting and encouraging their development and improvement throughout the country. Our team has great experience, with the track record and credentials to successfully advise and support our clients in Scotland’s regulatory and public sector.”

In July 2015 Harper Macleod was one of only two firms appointed to the panel for all six lots of the new government framework.

Harper Macleod’s team supporting the Care Inspectorate will be led by partner Jennifer Jack, who is ranked in band 1 for administrative and public law byChambers UK. She has extensive experience of acting on behalf of regulators and other bodies in the public and third sectors.

Professor Crerar added: “We are very pleased to win this appointment, which is the latest in a significant series for the firm under the new Framework. For us, winning a place on the panels was just the start, and the proof of our ability to provide both quality and value in the services we provide has come from the series of appointments we’ve won over the past six months.”

The initial appointment, which follows a competition run under lot 3 of the government framework, will run for three years, with the option of a one-year extension.