Higher Education Lawyers
Higher education is going through a challenging time, facing numerous financial and legal challenges.
With our expertise by your side, you can navigate these challenges with confidence and focus on unlocking new opportunities in this ever-changing sector.
Higher education providers operate in a complex and evolving landscape.
Whether you are an established university or a new entrant to the sector, our higher education lawyers are here to help you navigate legal and regulatory challenges with confidence.
From student disputes and governance complexities to international collaborations and employment matters, you need legal support that is clear, pragmatic, and tailored to your institution’s needs.
Whether you are mitigating risks, resolving disputes, or planning for the future, we will support you every step of the way. With decades of experience advising universities and higher education providers, we understand the pressures you face. Working by your side, we provide actionable insights and practical solutions that protect your institution and help it thrive.
You need more than legal advice; you need a trusted partner who understands the sector inside out.
Our expert team ensures you are well-equipped to respond to challenges swiftly, so you can continue delivering an outstanding student experience and excellence in research while meeting regulatory requirements.
Our expertise
We provide expert legal support across the full range of higher education matters. Whether advising on governance structures, managing student and staff concerns, or ensuring regulatory compliance, we deliver practical solutions that help you move forward with confidence. Our higher education lawyers collaborate with you to anticipate challenges, minimise risk, and unlock opportunities for growth.
Our team advises on the following areas:
Institutional governance & compliance
Compliance is more than a box to tick - it is the foundation of trust and credibility. Whether navigating initial or ongoing OfS registration, seeking degree-awarding powers, or ensuring compliance with other regulatory standards, our team has experience in guiding institutions through the complexities of regulatory frameworks. We provide practical, clear advice, enabling your institution to thrive while staying compliant.
Strong governance is key to long-term success. We help you build and implement governance structures that allow you to operate effectively and within your regulatory regime, balancing the interests of a variety of key stakeholders. From constitutional change and schemes of delegation to joint ventures and spin-out companies, we ensure your institution is equipped with a robust foundation to face future challenges confidently.
Higher education institutions regularly engage with suppliers, contractors, and partners, requiring robust procurement processes and contract management. We assist institutions in drafting, negotiating, and reviewing contracts, ensuring they align with new public procurement regulations, under the Procurement Act 2023, and provide value for money. Our team also advises on tendering procedures, contract disputes, and risk management strategies, helping institutions make informed and legally sound procurement decisions.
Navigating corporate transactions and commercial contracts in the higher education sector can be complex, but our specialist lawyers are here to provide clear, practical solutions tailored to your institution’s needs. Whether you are setting up a new institution, exploring a merger, forming strategic partnerships, or managing tax and funding considerations, we offer expert guidance to help you make informed decisions. Our team works closely with you to structure agreements that support your long-term goals, ensuring compliance, efficiency, and financial sustainability.
People & student affairs
Managing student-related challenges - from academic misconduct to safeguarding and consumer law issues - requires clear, pragmatic legal support. Our student matters team works closely with universities and alternative providers to navigate disputes, complaints, policy development, and equality matters. With deep sector knowledge, we provide tailored advice to ensure compliance, protect your institution’s reputation, and support diverse student populations. Trust us to help you resolve issues effectively, so you can focus on delivering an outstanding student experience with confidence.
International students and staff bring vibrancy and expertise to your institution but navigating immigration requirements can be complex and the consequences of getting it wrong are serious. Our top-tier immigration team has extensive knowledge of the HE sector and provides tailored advice to meet your institution’s needs. From student visas to hiring skilled academics, we ensure compliance while supporting you to be a diverse and vibrant institution.
Managing staff effectively is vital to your institution’s success. We provide expert advice on all aspects of employment law, from drafting contracts and addressing disputes to ensuring compliance with ever-evolving legislation. Our guidance helps you build a supportive, legally compliant workplace where employees thrive.
Safeguarding students and staff is a fundamental legal and ethical responsibility for higher education institutions. We provide expert advice on safeguarding policies, risk assessments, and compliance with statutory duties. By ensuring institutions meet their contractual, statutory and common law obligations, we help create safe and supportive learning environments.
Estates, commercial & risk management
Many UK higher education institutions engage in international projects, including the establishment of overseas campuses and collaborations with overseas education institutions. Expanding your reach is an exciting opportunity, and we are here to guide you every step of the way. For higher education providers setting up a campus or offering in the UK, we offer comprehensive advice on the regulatory landscape and establishing your presence. For UK institutions looking to grow internationally, we leverage a global network of trusted advisors to support the development and execution of your expansion plans with confidence and clarity.
Protecting your intellectual property is critical to safeguarding your innovations and reputation. Our team regularly advises on trademarks, licensing agreements, technology transfer, and more, ensuring you can maximise the value of your IP while avoiding infringement risks. With our help, you can protect your ideas and capitalise on opportunities confidently.
With growing reliance on technology, safeguarding personal data is more important than ever. We help you manage your data protection obligations with tailored policies, privacy impact assessments, and expert advice on data breach management. Our support ensures you protect the trust of students, staff, and stakeholders.
Your estate is integral to your strategic priorities. We provide comprehensive advice on acquisitions, disposals, construction projects, planning, estate rationalisation, student accommodation schemes, and more. Whether it is a single property or a campus-wide strategy, we’ll work with you to align your estate with your financial and operational goals.
Disputes can be disruptive, but we are here to help resolve them swiftly and effectively. Our experienced litigators work to secure the best outcomes for your institution through negotiation, mediation, or litigation while minimising impact on your operations.
Find out more about our dispute resolution and litigation services
Financial pressures in higher education require specialist guidance. Our expert insolvency and restructuring team supports institutions facing financial distress, offering clear advice and practical solutions at every stage. We help you navigate challenges while focusing on recovery and long-term sustainability.
Jane Byford is excellent, really knowledgeable and accessible.
Our work highlights
We supported longstanding a client, the University of Bristol, in relation to an Artificial Intelligence Research Resource hosted by the University known as "Isambard-AI" which is 10 times more powerful than the UK's existing fastest supercomputer. It was a strategically important, complex and time critical project for the University.
We advised the University of Reading on a significant development project from initial discussions on the heads of terms through to exchanging a Development Agreement and a long term lease with the Secretary of State.
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