Key Benefits

The HALA Solicitors Panel was formed following a rigorous EU compliant tender exercise and comprises 12 leading law firms. Each firm has a strong record of expertise and experience in the Social Housing sector, working with many of the UK’s largest Registered Providers and are committed to adding value to HALA and its members.

Kennedy Cater manages the framework on behalf of the members so as to ensure that the full range benefits of membership are delivered and that legal services are delivered as efficiently as possible.

Fees

To ensure full transparency and cost certainty, each firm is committed to providing members with fixed or capped fees in advance of any work being undertaken.

In addition to competitive hourly rates which, on average, are discounted by at least 30%, each firm has also agreed an extensive and unrivalled range of competitive fixed fees (in excess of 200).

Some firms also offer volume discounts based on annual spend.

Kennedy Cater analyses billing information from each firm and provides members with a monthly report which includes a summary of their monthly and year to date spend for each Lot.

Matter Management

For large or complex pieces of work, Kennedy Cater is able to assist members produce and manage roadmaps and mini-tenders

Free Training

Panel firms and Kennedy Cater provide free of charge bespoke training and access to seminars for HALA members.

Value-Added Benefits

Panel firms also provide an extensive range of value added benefits, including:

  • Free of charge helplines for ad hoc advice
  • Drop in surgeries
  • Legal updates
  • Video conferencing
  • Access to their professional support lawyers / librarians and use of their meeting rooms
  • Social Value benefits (e.g. work experience & employment opportunities for residents)
  • And crucially they have also agreed that if they prepare advice which is relevant to more than one HALA member, it may be shared.

Assessments

To ensure the smooth running of the framework and member satisfaction with the services provided by the panel firms, Kennedy Cater undertakes annual law firm assessments.