CHIC Legal Services Framework
Framework Description
CHIC's Legal Services framework, run with Kennedy Cater, gives housing members a panel of 24 law firms across four specialist lots: corporate, governance and finance; housing and asset management; development; and property. It runs from 1 July 2024 until 30 June 2028, with no extension. Members can buy specialist sector legal advice without running their own tender.
Context & Use Case
Housing associations and other CHIC members use it for legal work across their business. That includes board governance and funding, tenancy and housing management matters, development agreements, and property transactions. Members call off by mini-competition, or by direct award to a panel firm where the framework allows, choosing the lot that matches the matter.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Corporate, Governance & Finance Lot 2: Housing & Asset Management Lot 3: Development Lot 4: Property
Lots
Lot 1 Corporate, Governance & Finance; Lot 2 Housing & Asset Management; Lot 3 Development; Lot 4 Property
Who Can Apply
Law firms with specialist social housing practices in one or more of the four lots. Applications for the panel are closed, so firms not appointed must wait for the re-tender, expected around 30 June 2028, and can register their interest with CHIC or Kennedy Cater in the meantime.
Buyer Benefits
Housing providers get pre-agreed rates and terms from firms that know the sector, which saves time on governance, development and tenancy work. Specialist lots let them pick a firm strong in, say, development rather than a generalist. CHIC designed the panel to create savings and efficiencies for members.
Next Steps
Panel firms should keep in touch with members and track matters won by lot. Firms not on the panel should register interest with CHIC or Kennedy Cater, and prepare housing sector case studies, partner profiles and fee proposals before the 2028 re-tender.
How Athena Can Help
Legal panel tenders reward clear evidence of sector expertise and value. Athena's bid writing and editing helps law firms turn matter histories into scored answers, and our pricing models help set rates.
Ahead of the 2028 re-tender, we can map other public sector and housing legal panels you could join sooner. Our panel and framework applications service then delivers the submissions. Our bid/no-bid tools help firms decide which lots are worth targeting.
