Andrew Dean

Partner, Bird & Bird

As a London-based partner in our Commercial practice, I support clients at the intersection of government and business.

I focus on market-first and internationally significant transactions, contentious procurement and public law matters, as well as regulatory and policy development. With extensive experience representing both government and business entities in the UK and internationally, I have a deep understanding of the pathways and strategies required to transact and engage effectively in these areas, helping clients achieve their strategic objectives in increasingly complex and uncertain markets.

I am a trusted advisor to governments, statutory corporations and utilities on their most complex and strategically important projects, advising on all aspects of procurement and public law. I have extensive experience across a range of transaction types such as procurements, PPPs, large-scale outsourcing and technology transactions, divestments, M&A and financial assistance, with a particular focus on regulated sectors such as infrastructure, energy, defence, telecoms, transport, and water.

I also advise domestic and multinational suppliers, lenders, and investors on how to do business with government, ensuring they are well-placed to secure must-win government contracts.

I have developed a distinctive public law and public affairs practice helping clients to navigate challenges and business critical threats from shifts in policy and regulation, as the geopolitical landscape evolves. I have a deep and unique understanding of the inner workings of government and parliament, developed during my time working as a senior lawyer for the UK Government, where I spent six years advising senior civil servants and ministers on complex transactions and UK regulation and policy post-Brexit.

I'm an advocate for inclusion and championing diversity and equity is something I am committed to in both my professional and personal life. I believe in fostering an inclusive work environment and have been involved in various initiatives focusing on social mobility, disability and neurodiversity. Beyond the workplace, I mentor young professionals from under-represented groups, and I have served as a trustee and school governor for a local multi-academy trust.

Contributed to

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International commitments underlying the Procurement Act 2023—PA 2023

Practice Notes

This practical guidance relates to the Procurement Act 2023 regimeThis practical guidance focusses on public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). New in-scope procurements must be carried out under PA 2023. For background reading on the PA 2023 regime, see Practice Note: Introduction to the Procurement Act 2023—PA 2023.Procurements started before PA 2023 came into force (on 24 February 2025) remain governed by the previous legislation (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).For background reading on the key differences between PA 2023 and the previous regime, see Checklist: Procurement Act 2023—key changes. For details of the transitional arrangements, see Practice Note: Procurement Act 2023 transitional and saving arrangements—PA 2023.International commitments underlying PA 2023This Practice Note examines the international commitments underlying PA 2023, with particular

Public Law

Special regime contracts―PA 2023

Practice Notes

This practical guidance relates to the Procurement Act 2023 regimeThis Practice Note provides an introduction to special regime contracts under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023), ie concession contracts, defence and security contracts, light touch contracts, utilities contracts and below-threshold contracts. New in-scope procurements must be carried out under PA 2023. For background reading on the PA 2023 regime, see Practice Note: Introduction to the Procurement Act 2023—PA 2023.Procurements started before PA 2023 came into force (on 24 February 2025) remain governed by the previous legislation (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).This practical guidance focusses on public procurement under PA 2023. For background reading on the key differences between PA 2023 and the previous regime, see Checklist: Procurement Act 2023—key changes. For details of the transitional arrangements, see Practice Note: Procurement

Public Law

The applicability of EU public procurement

Practice Notes

This Practice Note provides an overview of the applicability of Directive 2014/24/EU, the EU Public Sector Directive. It explains the definitions of public works, services and supply contracts, contracts which are categorised as mixed, and areas excluded from the application of the Directive.

EU Law

The EU public procurement thresholds

Practice Notes

This Practice Note examines the thresholds set out in the EU public procurement directives which apply to public sector contracts. It considers how the thresholds are set, what the current thresholds are, how a contract value is determined and the position relating to contracts whose value is below the relevant threshold.

EU Law

The legal framework and general principles of EU public procurement law

Practice Notes

This Practice Note provides an overview of the EU public procurement regime which is set out mainly by Directive 2014/24/EU, the EU Public Contract Directive, Directive 2014/25/EU, the EU Utilities Directive, and Directive 2014/23/EU, the EU Concession Directive. It also discusses the general principles that govern this regime: equal treatment and non-discrimination, open competition, transparency, and proportionality. Finally, this Practice Note summarises additional developments on e-procurement, Green Public Procurement and support for large infrastructure projects.

EU Law

Special regime contracts—PA 2023—checklist

Checklists

This practical guidance relates to the Procurement Act 2023 regimeThis practical guidance focusses on public procurement under the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023). New in-scope procurements must be carried out under PA 2023. For background reading on the PA 2023 regime, see Practice Note: Introduction to the Procurement Act 2023—PA 2023.Procurements started before PA 2023 came into force (on 24 February 2025) remain governed by the previous legislation (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).For background reading on the key differences between PA 2023 and the previous regime, see Checklist: Procurement Act 2023—key changes. For details of the transitional arrangements, see Practice Note: Procurement Act 2023 transitional and saving arrangements—PA 2023.Special regime contractsThis Checklist provides a quick reference guide to the key features of special regime contracts under PA 2023. PA

Public Law

Does the Procurement Act 2023 apply?—flowchart

Flowcharts

This Flowchart provides a decision tree to help contracting authorities determine whether a transaction falls within the scope of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA 2023).

Public Law