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Our mission is to provide an outstanding service to leading and ambitious universities and higher education institutions. Built on our deep sector knowledge and experience, we have a track record of innovation, thought leadership, and getting things done.
Our Universities & Higher Education group includes over 150 lawyers based in our offices in the UK, Middle East and Asia Pacific. We draw on the full resources of Pinsent Masons to cover the range of legal disciplines. We advise both UK and international institutions - whether publicly funded or private, charitable or for-profit.
UK universities are at an evolutionary turning point. The era of generous state support is over. As the funding of HE transforms, students and student demand will have a greater influence on the shape of the sector and of individual institutions. The UK government is using policy changes and legislation to create a more favourable environment for private, for-profit and international institutions to set up in competition with existing, state supported and charitable universities.
UK universities are strongly autonomous institutions with the ability to develop their own institutional and collective strategies in response to this changing environment. Strategic thinkers will see opportunities to make significant operational reforms which will stand them in good stead for the challenges of the future.
At the same time, there is increasing interest by reputable international institutions in entering the UK market. We have helped two of them to do so, and to establish themselves as charities. We also advise UK institutions on HE collaborations and joint ventures with partners worldwide.
Our advisers act on domestic and international projects of all shapes and sizes, working with many of the leading names across this diverse sector. Browse our experience below, or use the filters to look-up recent work in particular geographies and legal disciplines.
Represented a London Russell Group University in the defence of an Employment Tribunal claim involving whistleblowing, disability discrimination and breach of contract allegations.
Advised The University of Manchester, a leading UK University on the largest student accommodation design, build, finance and operate (DBFO) project ever undertaken by a UK university.
Advising a higher education client on the regime known as Martyn’s Law which requires venues of certain capacities to take anti-terrorism measures for the protection of public safety.
Advised the management team of Knovia, one of the UK’s leading apprenticeship and vocational training providers, on the terms of the MBO by Eureka Education, backed by French PE firm, Naxicap Partners.
Advised Unipol Student Homes, a prominent student housing provider, on an underwrite arrangement with a university involving an agreement for lease and lease for student accommodation.
Advised a leading London university on the procurement and implementation of business-critical cloud-based HR, finance and payroll software, ensuring compliance with public procurement frameworks and achieving a favourable outcome through complex contractual negotiations.
Advised a leading contemporary student accommodation provider on their land acquisition facility with a real estate investment manager, in connection with the acquisition of land for PBSA development.
Acting for a leading global construction company as D&C Contractor on a dispute arising from the fit out of an educational facility.
Advised a higher education institute on board review support, providing guidance to ensure effective governance and compliance with regulatory standards.
Delivered line management training to employees of University of Warwick which developed the participants’ understanding of key areas of employment law alongside their confidence in dealing with day-to-day employment law issues. With a specific focus on Equality & Respect at Work; Managing Discipline; and Managing Capability Issues, including performance and ill health/absence.
Our expertise, at your disposal
With over 490 partners and 3000 people around the world, we are well-placed to support you across a full range of legal and advisory services.
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Universities & Education
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Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has been named the eighth most innovative European law firm at this year’s FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards. The firm also won in the Innovative Lawyers in Sustainability category.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised Stoneweg Europe Stapled Trust (SERT) on its proposed aggregate c.€122 million acquisition of Stoneweg's pan-European investment management platform, a transformational transaction that will establish SERT as a fully integrated real estate owner, operator and investment manager with approximately €3.2 billion of assets under management.
Multinational law firm Pinsent Masons has advised developer Ghelamco on the €285 million sale of The Bridge, a landmark Warsaw office tower.
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