Consolidation Nation

These are exciting times for members of the London Boroughs Legal Alliance (LBLA).

The initiative, which sees councils in the capital share legal expertise and use a single panel, was officially launched last week at a star-studded champagne reception (see story).

Okay, so we might be overstating the glamour, this is the public sector after all.

But there was the dramatic unveiling of a new member, Islington Council, bringing the total number of local authorities in the scheme to seven.

Shared panels are a bit of a no-brainer for in-house legal teams. They increase purchasing power, slash external firm rates, and save a whole load of hassle by reducing the need for each member to regularly review its providers.

But what's interesting about the LBLA is the level of co-operation. As well as access to an extensive 16-firm panel, members will be able to send legal work to each other, share training facilities and generally club together wherever they can.

The heads of the seven legal departments will hold management meetings once a month, along with consultant Leo Fattorini of Kennedy Cater Legal.

Fattorini eventually wants the LBLA to have 12 members, making it one of the largest such schemes in the country.

We think that other London boroughs should throw their names in the ring as soon as possible. Judging by the interest so far, the final places on the LBLA won't be around for long.

The Lawyer - 19th October 2009.