The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - The Bar > London Bar > Public procurement

11KBW is 'top drawer when  it comes to public law - they are up with the  best'. Jason Coppel QC represents both claimants and contracting parties; he is acting for the claimant train operating companies in a challenge to disqualification from procurement for the right to operate West Coast mainline and HS2.  James Goudie QC is in demand for his breadth of expertise across local government vires, and state aid matters in addition to public procurement. Peter Oldham QC has vast experience of procurement disputes in areas as varied as medical devices, transport and IT, and Nigel Giffin QC is equally seasoned. The junior ranks include the 'procedurally and tactically savvy'  Rupert Paines and 'first class technical and tactical lawyer' Patrick Halliday.

Monckton Chambers is hailed as the ‘leading procurement and competition set'. It is instructed on significant cases in areas including pharmaceuticals, transport and construction. Michael Bowsher QC represented Mitie Limited in a challenge against the Secretary of State for Justice regarding the procurement of a contract for facilities management services. 'Seen as the leading QC in this area', Philip Moser QC is instructed on critical transport cases, and Valentina Sloane QC ('a class act') is handling a range of high-profile cases, particularly in the transport sector. 'Judges take notice of' Rob Williams QC who has also acted on a number of high-profile transport cases including representing Govia in rail franchise challenges. The junior cohort includes the 'insightful' Anneliese Blackwood, who has been involved in a range of transport or construction matters, and rising stars Jack Williams and Daisy Mackersie.

Keating Chambers is highlighted for providing 'a great level of service' in addition to its 'strength and depth of expertise’. This growing set is instructed on both sides of disputes; regularly instructed by government bodies, local authorities, and industry clients. Its members handle large-scale transport matters in addition to cases involving healthcare or military equipment. 'A top choice for advocacy' Sarah Hannaford QC, who can make her points ‘with killer precision’, acted for the Ministry of Defence defending a claim by the unsuccessful bidder for a procurement valued at over £1bn. 'Super advocate' Fionnuala Mccredie QC co-led a large team acting for the Department of Transport in respect of the procurement challenges commenced by Stagecoach and others. Simon Taylor's expertise includes EU and competition law, while James Frampton is notable for both construction and procurement matters.

Blackstone Chambers combines a leading administrative and public law offering with public procurement on which it represents government agencies and ministers and major corporates. James Segan QC has acted for Fujitsu in a case against the Foreign & Commonwealth Office concerning the award of a contract for its 'global connectivity' services to another tenderer. Hanif Mussa’s broad practice includes public procurement matters where he is 'very quick to get to grips with knotty new areas'. Emily Neill is acting for McAllister Bros Limited, the successful bidder, in a challenge by a disappointed bidder to a significant procurement exercise by Irish Water for pipe cleaning services across Ireland.

The ‘well-organised’ Henderson Chambers’ broad public and European law expertise includes advising a range of government departments and local authorities. Rhodri Williams QC has handled procurement challenges in areas such as health or commercial supplies as part of his broader practice. Andrew Kinnier QC, who ‘exudes a calm assurance when advising clients’, is recognised for his expertise in European structural funds, and his procurement challenge work includes acting for the Ministry of Defence in a challenge to a decision to re-wind a procurement competition.