Legal Advice on Student Matters for Higher Education Institutions
Our Student Matters team support higher education institutions (rather than students) with the many issues that can arise within the sector. We understand the importance of providing a first class student experience and offer a full range of legal services, from advice on operational issues to resolving complex disputes.
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Experienced Higher Education Lawyers
Our clients include institutions across the sector from traditional campus and metropolitan universities to new alternative providers and historic professional bodies. As experienced advisers to the full range of education institutions we also understand the interplay between the secondary and tertiary sectors.
How Can We Help?
We recognise that higher education institutions must have regard not only to the needs and requirements of students generally but also to the interests of particular groups such as international students, post-graduates and those under the age of 18.
Our lawyers can provide advice on:
- The Resolution of Complex Disputes and Critical Incident Management
This includes liaising with the media and relevant professional or regulatory bodies. Such cases may involve academic misconduct, harassment or violence on or off campus, safeguarding concerns, equality and discrimination leading to escalated action, all of which can be reputationally sensitive and extremely resource intensive for your institution.
- Handling Student Complaints and Appeals
This includes internal proceedings as well as referrals to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, court and tribunal based litigation, formal mediation and Judicial Review.
- The Student Contract
Agreements for the delivery of education are among the widest in scope, most complex in content, and least quantifiable and specific in what is promised. In an era where students are regarded (and are protected by legislation) as consumers, we recognise the need for more transparency and certainty and have a template contract.
- Student Regulations and Policies
We have extensive experience of drafting, updating and advising on the application of regulations and policies dealing with academic matters (e.g. admissions, appeals, assessment and assessment offences, ethics), regulatory matters (e.g. data protection, freedom of information, use of technology) and pastoral matters (e.g. disabilities, discipline and health and safety). We have developed a range of specialist template agreements, policies and procedures to aid with compliance and demonstrating best practice.
- Operational Issues
We provide bespoke and niche advice on all aspects of admissions, discipline, disability discrimination (including preparation of complex disability discrimination defences), regulation and inspection, and human rights.
- Student Union
We are experienced in advising on issues rising from the relationship between institutions and their students' unions, including matters of governance and discipline of executive officers.
- Tenancy Agreements
We can draft tenancy agreements for student halls, including those for wardens, as well as taking action against students who infringe those agreements.
- Student Immigration Issues by way of referral from universities.
To discuss any of your student matters and how our lawyers can help, please contact Kris Robbetts on 0117 314 5427 or complete the below form.