NMBI wishes to establish a Multi-Party Framework Agreement for Fitness to Practise Legal Services. The primary role of the legal firm(s) engaged under this procurement process will be to prepare and present cases on behalf of the CEO with respect to registrants who have been referred to inquiry. The responsibilities will also include liaison and collaboration with all participants in the inquiry process (complainants, factual and expert witnesses, registrants, their legal counsel and the Contracting Authority staff). The legal firm will oversee and guide the progression of an inquiry to a timely conclusion. Following an inquiry where a sanction is recommended and subsequently imposed on a registrant by the Board, the legal firm will be responsible for seeking High Court Confirmation of sanction where required in accordance with the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011. Further detail as to required services is set out in three phases – before, during and after an inquiry when the Board decides to impose a sanction which requires High Court confirmation in accordance with the Nurses and Midwives Act 2011.