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Education sector - higher education

Higher education institutions have to operate increasingly as substantial businesses as public funding decreases, while also respecting academic freedom and treating students (who are legally consumers) fairly.  We are able to help HEIs with their commercialisation activities as well as with issues around the student contract and staff employment, increasing the efficient use of the HEI’s estate and helping the HEI manage information and reputation issues. We have  particular experience in helping HEIs set up and manage international operations and other structural innovations.

The ‘first-class’ Diane Gilhooley leads Eversheds LLP’s education department, and has outstanding knowledge of the higher education sector.”

Legal 500

Our experience

Our education team’s experience is second to none and whatever issues you are facing, we can help. We have the people who can deal with any issues and in every area you will be talking to a specialist. Some of our recent projects include advising universities on:

  • setting up their overseas operations
  • funding deals
  • VAT and tax issues
  • compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty
  • automatic enrolment
  • disclosure and barring
  • collective consultation, including fixed term employees
  • student immigration and the current position on suspension and revocation of licences
  • professional review and effective performance management
  • restructuring charter and statutes
  • creation of group structures
  • joint ventures with the private sector
  • groupings with colleges and academies.

As well as working with higher education institutions we work with a number of sector bodies and are regularly asked to speak at sector conferences and events. Recently we have:

  • developed international guides with UUK and also AoC;
  • delivered sessions at conferences of AHUA, AMHEC, ARC, ASRA, UCEA and UHR; and
  • spoken at the Stetson and NACUA conferences in the USA.

We act for higher education institutions throughout the UK, which provides an invaluable understanding of the sector and improves efficiency and service delivery. The following are some examples of key projects and cases that we have handled for Higher Education Institutions recently:

Contact us

Diane Gilhooley, Partner

  • Global Head of Employment, Labor and Pensions, and Global Co-Head of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
  • +44 161 831 8151
  • E-mail Diane Gilhooley
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