Overview

Public procurement law is set to change, following new draft directives issued by the European Commission in December. The proposals form part of an overall programme aimed at modernising public procurement in the European Union.

There are various reasons for rewriting procurement law now, but the overall focus is on simplifying and modernising the rules, and making them more user-friendly. Added to this, the current rules are perceived to have resulted in processes which lack flexibility, take too long, are expensive and sometimes do not lead to the right outcomes. The new proposals include a new light touch regime for health, social, cultural and education services.

While it may be mid-2014 before the proposals are translated into new regulations in the UK, this briefing outlines why it's important to start thinking ahead now. In it, Wragge & Co's public procurement law team provide a summary of the expected changes.

To learn more, click 'View Briefing'.