Your challenges
A recent Universities UK report on the future size and shape of the UK higher education sector identified a number of threats and opportunities ahead. Competition for public funds has increased and contributions from students are due to rise. The UK's position in the international market is under challenge as competition grows from other countries and from private providers. The CBI has called for greater collaboration between businesses and universities. Higher education institutions face demographic changes and public finance pressures in the years ahead.
Achieving your ambitions
As a leading provider of legal services to the higher education sector, we are committed to meeting all the needs of our higher education clients in a complex and changing legal and policy landscape. We have developed specialisms over many years in all areas where universities and colleges need legal support, from advising on the exploitation of intellectual property to the procurement of major student accommodation projects. Our legal services are informed by developments in national policy and we are delighted to be a corporate partner to the Higher Education Policy Institute, a leading independent policy think tank. We have been at the forefront for our clients in their international activities, advising on academic collaborations and helping to resolve complex extra-territorial legal issues.
The strength you need
We act for over 90 higher education clients across the UK. Our higher education clients require the best legal and commercial advice across the board. Each year around 40 of our partners and 140 of our lawyers from our specialist teams are engaged in the latest real estate, commercial and governance projects in the sector. We harness our experience and connections in other sectors: charities, banking, business, health, further education, local authorities and insurance.
Lawyers you can trust
The leading independent legal directories have noted that we have "a grasp of education law that is second to none". In respect of capital projects, they have recognised that we "lead the market for advice to HE institutions for student accommodation PFI and PPP projects in the UK". We have the delivery of excellence in client service as our overriding vision and are delighted that the directories have recognised that our "advice is professional, well directed, clear and comprehensive".