Lorraine Spurling
Lorraine worked in local government as a principal lawyer for almost 17 years. Since joining Sharpe Pritchard in 2019, Lorraine has continued to advise local authorities and also central government on a wide range of commercial transactions, with a particular focus on complex procurement processes – including outsourcing and in-sourcing entire service areas and multi-lot/ multi-party frameworks. Lorraine has substantial knowledge of EU public procurement and commercial contracts across the public sector and advises on all procedures under the PCR 2015, including procurement strategy, and frequently drafts/advises on Contract Notices, Selection Questionnaires, Invitation to Tender Documents, Evaluation Criteria, Contract or Framework Terms, Access Agreements and Partnership / Collaborative working agreements. Lorraine also advises on the application of TUPE to procured contracts and is considered to provide a full commercial perspective to the matter.
Lorraine also advises on a wide range of commercial contract issues, including change control procedures, performance and monitoring, termination for breach of terms, modifications to contracts and early termination rights.
Lorraine has experience of working in and leading multi-disciplinary teams, working alongside in-house legal teams, service area specialists and consultants to deliver projects collaboratively and at pace.
Lorraine is known for her approachable and pragmatic approach. She breaks-down complex issues to provide clients with advice that they can readily understand and apply. Her knowledge of the public sector also ensures that she understands the pressures and challenges faced and works to ensure that her advice facilitates these.
Practice Area
Panel
- Contributing Author
Qualified Year
- 2001
Experience
- Sharpe Pritchard (2019 - Present)
- LB Redbridge (2002 - 2019)
- Taylor Joynson Garrett/Taylor Wessing (1999 - 2002)
2 Contributions by Lorraine Spurling
PRACTICE NOTES
Light touch contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: scope, thresholds, notices, tendering and award, user choice, public service mutuals reservations, frameworks, modifications and remedies
STOP PRESS
From 24 February 2025, the core provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) take effect and apply. Competitions commencing on or after that date must proceed under PA 2023, while procurements started under the earlier regimes — the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015), the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, the Concession Regulations 2016, and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 — must continue to be run and overseen in line with those rules and procedures accordingly. See Practice Note: Introduction to the Procurement Act 2023—PA 2023.
This material concerns the Procurement Act 2023 regime. It provides practical guidance on public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). For practical guidance on light touch contracts under the former legislation, see Practice Note: Considerations when authorities procure contracts that are not subject to the full procurement regime.
Overview of the light touch public procurement regime
Under PA 2023, light touch contracts (LTCs) mean contracts wholly or predominantly for the delivery of identified services, as listed in regulations made by an appropriate authority — that is, a Minister, the Welsh Ministers, or a Northern Ireland department...
Public Law
PRACTICE NOTES
Practical guide to below-threshold contracts under the Procurement Act 2023: scope, thresholds, procedures, notices, SME/VCSE reservations, frameworks, dynamic markets, payment terms, modifications and remedies
This practical guidance relates to the Procurement Act 2023 regime
From 24 February 2025, the core provisions of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023) take effect. Procurements started on or after that date must, where applicable, proceed under PA 2023. Procurements initiated under the former regime—the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, SI 2015/102; the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016, SI 2016/274; the Concession Contracts Regulations 2016, SI 2016/273; and the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011, SI 2011/1848—must continue to be conducted and overseen in line with that legislation. This guidance concentrates on public procurement under PA 2023. For practical guidance on below-threshold contracts under the prior regime, see Practice Note: Considerations when authorities procure contracts that are not subject to the full procurement regime—pre PA 2023.
The below-threshold public procurement regime
In general, the below‑threshold regime affords contracting authorities greater scope to craft an appropriate procurement exercise. Part 6 of PA 2023 prescribes the rules governing the procurement of below‑threshold contracts, including provisions on procurement procedures, duties, notices and implied payment terms...
Public Law
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