The quality of public services is increasingly determined by world-class skills in public procurement. Businesses are increasingly aware of the need to follow strict compliance regulations and submit accurate tender documentation. Even minor errors and inconsistencies can lead to long-lasting and costly disputes. Utilities' day to day business could not function without complying with national and EU procurement rules, while any restructuring programme, reorganisation or sale programme cannot function without a proper understanding of regulated procurement.

In the public sector, both public bodies and those receiving funding from government, including museums and hospitals, need to keep on top of the development of the procurement rules to ensure their plans and projects can be smoothly implemented and to avoid any challenges in court. Together we can do more to help you through this complex process. Our specialist lawyers take a thorough approach to detail to deliver the best results.

We advise both the providers and beneficiaries of state funding and can help mediate in any potential disputes that can arise.  CMS Cameron McKenna has extensive experience in supporting clients in this area operating in a number of sectors - defence, aviation, roads, construction, telecommunications, health and lifesciences. With the additional knowledge and expertise of dedicated teams in our offices in the CEE and the CMS alliance, we provide a multi-lingual service across major European business locations. Our team offers practical advice on compliance with national and EU procurement rules and has helped set up effective restructuring and reorganisation operations.

Relevant experience includes advising:

• Department for Transport on procurement issues regarding the Channel Tunnel Rail Link
• Metronet on its successful bid to run the tenders for the London Underground PPP
• Royal Mail on a wide range of procurement issues including outsourcings and the inclusion of postal services in the utilities regime
• Northern Ireland Electricity on procurement issues generally, including those arising from the restructuring and privatisation of the electricity sector in Northern Ireland
• A major contractor on its interests concerning the construction of the West Bridge of the Great Belt (Denmark) which involved proceedings by the European Commission before the European Court against Denmark