Our International Public Sector Group provides cross-border and domestic advice to public sector organisations, companies bidding to the public sector and institutions financing public sector projects in all of the key markets across Europe.
Although based on the EC Treaty and various European procurement directives, public procurement law and practice in European marketplaces varies widely from country to country. Recent developments mean that the law is changing fast in this area. In particular, it is becoming much more productive for bidders to take action, even in countries such as the UK, in which it has traditionally been far harder to challenge the procurement process.
Having advised both government bodies and bidders on complex procurement processes and procurement law challenges and disputes, we provide integrated advice on procurement law, commercial negotiations, contract drafting and dispute resolution. Clients turn to us for the value we can add to their involvement in the procurement process, whether through advice on financing, structuring consortia bids, helping to resolve disputes or just an instinct for what to do next.
We provide expertise in all areas of law affecting public procurement transactions at any stage of the lifecycle including:
• planning and advertising
• negotiation
• short-listing
• contract award (including making and defending legal challenges)
• contract management (including dispute resolution and avoidance)
Head of Group: Jan Byok
Accolades
"A go-to firm for IT procurement and outsourcing''
Chambers UK 2013
"Bird & Bird fields a leading public procurement practice, and this specialised team recently acted for several pharmaceuticals companies and public health insurers regarding various tender procedures and litigation''.
Chambers Europe 2012
"The large team at Bird & Bird continues to maintain a strong reputation for its work in procurement''.
Chambers Europe 2013