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HE Commercial Contract Lawyers

Contracts Higher Education

Higher Education

 

Higher Education Commercial Lawyers

Higher Education Institutions regularly enter into a broad range of commercial contracts, from research contracts to joint ventures with overseas institutions.

Quick Enquiry 

Our commercial lawyers can provide support from drafting agreements to resolving commercial contract disputes, including specialist advice on procurement, charity law, governance, tax, financing, data protection and freedom of information and intellectual property.  Our advice is always underpinned by a clear understanding of the legal and commercial risks and a strategy for how they can be mitigated.


How can we help?

Our work for higher education institutions includes:

  • Advising on contracts licensing the use of UK university names and branding by overseas institutions.
  • Drafting and negotiating a wide range of contracts relating to research collaborations and exploitation of resulting intellectual property.
  • Advising on collaborations and knowledge transfer between HEIs and commercial entities.
  • Advising on IT contracts including major software implementation, ongoing support for infrastructure and network replacement projects.
  • Advising on outsourcing and other contracting arrangements.
  • Advising on collaborative projects and structures between HEIs and other institutions in the UK and internationally.
  • Advising on the charity and tax law implications of research by HEIs and, in particular, the Charity Commission's guidance on charitable and non-charitable research (including commercial sponsorship, contract research and joint ventures) and the agreed guidelines on the corporation tax treatment of UK universities.
  • Advising on charity law and tax implications of non-primary purpose trading, including the establishment, financing, governance and operation of trading subsidiaries.
  • Advising HEIs on the exploitation of research using spin-out companies, including technology transfer, as well as our role as lawyers in residence with SetSquared. We advise on establishing companies, funding arrangements, employee incentives, the ownership of intellectual property and all associated charity law and commercial implications.

The team at VWV was professional, responsive and supportive in providing advice in a fast moving and cutting edge area of law. The level of resource made available was exceptional (while competitively priced) and the focus of all the team was unstintingly to support the University and protect its reputation.

  • A University Secretary

For specialist legal advice and support with higher education sector commercial contracts, please contact Doug Locke on 0117 314 5602.

Get in touch

Are you looking for legal services? Please complete the form below to find out how our specialist lawyers can support you.
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Meet the Team

Our Education team is ranked in the top tier of Chambers & Partners UK wide category and Legal 500.

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Jane Byford - Partner & Employment Lawyer - VWV Law Firm
Partner
Stephanie Rickard - Partner & Procurement Lawyer in Bristol - VWV Solicitors
Partner

News & Events

 
VWV expands Commercial Litigation team with notable addition of Terence Dickens
VWV is thrilled to announce the addition of Terence Dickens to our commercial litigation team, based in our Bristol office.
27 Mar 2024