Dickinson Dees holds key place

Jul 11 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

DICKINSON Dees has retained its coveted place on the Government’s Catalist Legal Services Framework Agreement.

The Newcastle law firm has been appointed to the full commercial category of the framework agreement, which covers work in IT and telecoms; property and estates; construction; employment and pensions; corporate and finance; and intellectual property.

Dickinson Dees is the only North-East law firm to be represented on this framework agreement, confirming its pre-eminent position in the region.

It is expected that the appointment will result in a substantial workload, because the Treasury has just told Government Departments that they must use law firms on the framework agreement.

It is estimated that £240m will be placed with framework suppliers over the course of its four-year lifespan.

Senior partner Robin Bloom said: “This is a tremendous accolade for the firm. It underlines our expertise in a number of diverse areas, from IT and telecoms to employment and pensions, and it is especially satisfying that we are the only North-East law firm to be represented in the full commercial category. It means that an awful lot of Government work should be coming our way.

“The framework agreement is available to not just central Government departments and agencies, but all public sector bodies including local authorities, the NHS, emergency services as well as schools, colleges and universities.

“This is excellent news for Dickinson Dees and a timely reminder of the expertise, depth of resource and value for money we offer. It is a boost for the region, as well as for us.”

Treasury solicitor Paul Jenkins said: “I anticipate a rapid move away from any pre-existing departmental and ad hoc arrangements by Government to a consistent and widespread use of the new framework agreement as the default approach to selecting and appointing external legal advisers.”