DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Challenge to contract award

We acted for a national retailer in challenging a contract awarded by a central government department, asserting that the award process did not comply with a transparent selection criteria and failed to comply with non-discrimination rules. The value of the initial contract to our client was approximately £4 million over a three-year period, and the estimated value of lost revenue should the award remain unchallenged was in excess of £40 million.

Following our challenge, the government department halted the contract award. We entered discussions with the department about next steps. Depending on the outcome of those discussions , we shall issue legal proceedings, preparing a detailed letter of complaint to the European Commission on the basis that the matter was of national importance, and would set a precedent if the framework agreement remained unchallenged.