Legal Services for Health Data Research Service (HDRS) - Corporate and Technical Support

The Health Data Research Service (HDRS) is an ambitious national programme announced by the Prime Minister in April 2025 to provide secure, unified access to UK health and care datasets for research, innovation and improved outcomes. Supported by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), HDRS is currently incubated by Wellcome and will establish legal entity status with transfer anticipated during 2026, operating across London and Cambridge sites. This is a direct award opportunity under a Government framework agreement. DHSC and HDRS require external legal support from day 1 of incorporation due to conflict of interest and client-attorney privilege constraints that prevent continued reliance on Wellcome Trust and DHSC in-house legal teams. HDRS seeks to appoint 2 external legal services firms to provide comprehensive legal support across four core workstreams during the organisation's mobilisation and transformation phase over the coming months. Key areas include: supporting legal entity incorporation and transfer, navigating regulatory and data governance frameworks, establishing operational legal infrastructure, and advising across commercial, employment and governance matters. Successful firms will work with senior leadership and stakeholders across academic, industry, NHS and government sectors.