Prior to joining Sharpe Pritchard, Lorraine worked as an in-house solicitor for a local authority, experience that has provided her with an in-depth knowledge of how public bodies operate and the complex governance and constitutional implications that arise from this.
Lorraine has substantive knowledge of EU public procurement and commercial contracts across the public sector and covering a diverse range of scenarios and services including outsourcing, insourcing, setting up trading companies, establishing and working with shared services and advising on associated governance and TUPE issues and grant and funding agreements.
Lorraine’s experience in the public sector ensures she understands the pressures and challenges faced by public bodies on a daily basis, meaning her outcomes are always achieved within allotted deadlines and being mindful of budget tensions.
Lorraine’s role involves advising on the entire spectrum of complex public sector procurements and projects for both local authorities and Government Bodies ranging from advising on procurement strategy and documents for complex multi-lot and/or multi-authority frameworks to advising on procurements of contracts for school meals, library services, domiciliary care, parking enforcement, supported living services, extra care services and IT software. Drawing on her extensive experience she provides clients with support for the entire procurement process from advising on the appropriate procurement approach, drafting the entire suite of documents, including the contract terms, ITT etc, responding to clarifications, advising through the evaluation and award process, assisting with feedback and any challenge and issuing of final documents.
Lorraine also provides a bespoke general support service to a number of public bodies, involving advising on governance issues, providing advice and comments on committee reports and being available to respond to and provide advice notes on ad hoc queries on issues ranging from contract interpretation, modification of contracts, early termination and extensions.
Lorraine also advises on non-procurement related issues, such as academy conversions, grant agreements and drafting of standard form documents and amending contract standing orders.
Lorraine combines her detailed understanding of her client base with her extensive experience of procurement and commercial issues to develop pragmatic and commercially-minded solutions to clients’ problems. She approaches even difficult situations with a calm and measured manner that assists clients to feel confident that they are being supported to achieve the best outcome.
Whilst Lorraine endeavours to resolve potential issues before they arise, her experience of working in the public sector tells her that at times things can go wrong and she is prepared to be responsive and flexible to resolve such issues with minimal impact.
Whether providing proactive or reactive guidance, Lorraine has an ability to break down complex issues to ensure clients can easily understand and apply her advice.
Lorraine – I cannot thank you enough – you have perfectly distilled my ramblings and captured exactly what we wanted to achieve. Thank you.
Local Authority Project Manager at Metropolitan Council
Lorraine is friendly and approachable. She is always on hand to distil complex legal matters in a way that is easy to understand to a non-legal audience.
Central Government Department client
17 September 2024
On 12th September, the Government confirmed the rumours and the highly anticipated Procurement Act 2023 (the “Act”), due to come in to force on 28 October 2024, will now be delayed until 24 February 2025[1]. Whilst this may result in a sigh of relief for many, for others it will trigger a huge chorus of…
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