Procurement & Subsidy Control

We look for possibilities, not loopholes.

Whether you’re a public sector provider, or a commissioner of services, you’ll know how many rules there are to navigate – and how easy it is to get caught out.

We want to help you get the result you want and are committed to giving strategic, practical answers. We’re experts in alternative delivery models for local authorities, the NHS and other public bodies.

We work with public authorities, charities, social enterprises delivering public services and a host of other organisations caught by the rules.

How we help

Whether you’re a charity, social enterprise, commercial company or a public body, we’ll interpret the procurement rules that apply to you. And if a procurement decision hasn’t gone your way, we’ll let you know whether we think you’ve got a case to challenge the result.

On the flipside, if you’re running the procurement, we’ll help you ensure your process is watertight. So, you’re less likely to be challenged on your choice of partner – and if you are, you’ll be able to defend it.

We also advise auditors who are dealing with procurement issues at local and national government level.

Our team can also advise on the EU state aid and UK subsidy control regimes – we regularly advise both funders and distributors of state aid/subsidies, and can help you to navigate the tricky regimes to achieve your goals.

Explore

Limitation and standstill: why you shouldn’t conflate the two!

In a recent public procurement case, a court refused to allow a small charity that provides services to people with …
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Bates Wells agrees strategic partnership with Social Enterprise UK for another three years

Bates Wells has agreed a three-year partnership with Social Enterprise UK (SEUK), which will build on previous strategic partnerships going …
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Bates Wells Impact Report 2022

The story so far – extraordinary times, amazing people. Visit our new microsite to learn more. As a B Corp, …
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A brave new world: It’s state aid but not (quite) as we know it…

Following Brexit and the end of the transition period the UK has now committed to a new subsidy control regime …
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Subsidy Control: the next chapter

What’s next for public bodies and their grantees in the UK? Lindsay Draffan and Suhan Rajkumar explain what’s next for …
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Meet our team