Higher education and research

 

The UK higher education and research sector is internationally renowned. Our market-leading team can assist clients to manage the complexities of the rapidly changing legal, commercial and regulatory landscape.

Higher education and research transform lives and play a vital role in the flourishing of the UK economy and civic society, operating at the forefront of scientific, medical and technological development.

Higher education institutions inhabit the intersection of the public, private and charity sectors, creating a unique combination of legal and regulatory issues.

We have the breadth of experience to help our clients operate successfully in a challenging environment.

We're recognised as a leading provider of legal services to the sector, acting for over 120 universities, colleges, national agencies, academies, educational businesses and charities across the UK.

Our experience

We're market leading advisers to the sector. Some examples of our work include:

  • Advising institutions on appropriate strategy and conduct of matters such as establishing new institutions, commercial operations, corporate finance, campus redevelopment, student disciplinary issues, research misconduct, sensitive freedom of information and data protection requests and tribunals, equality and human rights, consumer law, immigration compliance, fitness to practise, pensions and employment issues, charity law, higher education regulation, health and safety/inquests, restructuring, student union issues and litigation.

  • Helping clients with international issues, including collaborations with overseas partners, setting up overseas campuses and handling contentious matters involving jurisdictions around the world.

  • We've advised many clients on student accommodation projects, including a £130 million project for the University of Hull, in collaboration with student accommodation provider UPP, and a £90 million project for UCL.

  • Assisting many educational institutions with bonds and private placements, including the Universities of Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Manchester and Southampton.

  • Advising the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine on the transfer to it of two significant Medical Research Council research units in Africa, including an internationally recognised centre for research on HIV infection and related diseases.

  • Helping the Institute of Education merge with University College London.

Did you know?

Chambers UK 

Chambers rank us "band 1". Noting we're a "market leader in further and higher education, advising clients on significant legal and policy developments."

75+ jurisdictions

We've supported our clients in over 75 jurisdictions, through our links with over 145 law firms in other countries.

A groundbreaking campus development

Acting for the University of Northampton on its groundbreaking £330 million Waterside Campus development.

What our clients say about us

“It is the quality of the relationship that we have with them. That relationship is constructive yet critical, based on the fact that higher education is an important issue to them - as it is a life blood to us. ”

An education client

“Whatever the issue, Mills & Reeve will have the expertise on hand to advise. ”

Education client - Chambers UK

“Mills & Reeve is highlighted for its quick response times and very good sector knowledge that is then backed up by specialist lawyers. A substantial multi-disciplinary team undertakes diverse domestic and international work.”

Legal 500

Our clients

We act for over 120 education institutions, including universities, colleges, independent schools and academies. 

Clients include:

  • Birmingham City University
  • The Royal Veterinary College
  • The University of Cambridge
  • The University of Nottingham
  • The University of Manchester
  • The British Council

We're national sponsors to the Association of Heads of University Administration (AHUA). We also act for education investors.

Our lawyers

Our lawyers invest in long term client relationships and in understanding the policy, regulatory and commercial context in which clients in the higher education sector need to operate.

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

Contact us

Our expertise

Academies and schools
Apprenticeships
Education law
Further education and skills
Higher education and research
Independent (private) schools
International
University financial resilience taskforce

Education blog

Bringing together the latest public, private and charity law updates for the education sector.

Read our blog

Online resources 

A wide range of other material is available on our online resources page.
Online resources

Higher Education Policy Institute

We are also a corporate partner to the Higher Education Policy Institute, the only independent UK HE policy think tank.

Higher Education Policy Institute

Meet our higher education and research lawyers

Related sectors & services

Pensions Education Government Public procurement Commercial Corporate law Employment Employment - education Immigration Information law, data protection and privacy Intellectual property International services Litigation and arbitration legal services Projects and PPP Student accommodation projects Public law Real estate Regulatory