Wheatley Group Legal & Associated Services Framework
Framework Description
Wheatley Group, Scotland's largest social housing provider, is replacing its legal and associated services framework. The new agreement has seven lots, including two regional sheriff officer lots, and covers commercial, governance, employment, financing and property search work. Advertised under Find a Tender notice 015034-2026, it has a 36-month term to 14 May 2029, which Wheatley may extend by 12 months at its sole discretion.
Context & Use Case
As a large housing group with a substantial property portfolio and a complex corporate structure, Wheatley needs regular external advice on contracts, charities law and governance, employment disputes and finance. Sheriff officer services support debt recovery and property enforcement in Central Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway, while property searching and reporting supports transactions across the group.
Scope of Services
Lot 1: Commercial contracts Lot 2: Legal governance and charities Lot 3: Legal employment and general civil litigation Lot 4: Financing Lot 5a: Sheriff officer services (Central Scotland) Lot 5b: Sheriff officer services (Dumfries and Galloway) Lot 6: Property searching and reporting services
Lots
Yes: Lot 1 – Commercial Contracts; Lot 2 – Legal Governance & Charities; Lot 3 – Legal Employment & General Civil Litigation; Lot 4 – Financing; Lot 5a – Sheriff Officer Services (Central Scotland Region); Lot 5b – Sheriff Officer Services (Dumfries and Galloway Region); Lot 6 – Property Searching & Reporting Services
Who Can Apply
Suits Scottish law firms with housing, charities and social enterprise experience, sheriff officer firms covering either region, and property search providers; firms could bid for one lot or several. Tenders closed on 15 May 2026, so firms that did not bid cannot join this framework; the next chance is the re-tender, likely around May 2029, or 2030 if extended.
Buyer Benefits
Wheatley can instruct pre-approved firms on agreed rates without tendering each matter, which matters for time-critical litigation, enforcement and financing work. Separate lots let its in-house teams pick a specialist for each discipline, and regional sheriff officer lots give local coverage for enforcement across both areas.
Next Steps
Firms that bid should await Wheatley's award decision and, if appointed, prepare rate cards, matter reporting and named contacts for each lot. Others should follow Wheatley Group on Public Contracts Scotland, where the contract notice was published, and build Scottish housing sector matter examples, partner CVs and professional indemnity evidence ahead of the re-tender.
How Athena Can Help
Legal panel appointments are only the start: instructions go to firms that respond well and price sharply. If you are appointed, Athena's bid management for law firms helps with any further competitions, matter-based case studies and compliance reviews, and our public sector pricing advice builds blended rate models that stay competitive.
If you missed this tender, we can set up a legal framework pipeline of similar housing and public sector panels, so your evidence is ready before each one opens.
