Noted for its capabilities in assisting large universities, including members of the Russell Group, Weightmans LLP’s education offering includes procurement, student complaints, pensions and inquests. Martin Vincent, the head of the education department is based in Manchester and is an expert for procurement in the university sector. Litigator Josh Conroy is adept at handling a range of claims brought against universities, including student complaints, while Richard Vaughan covers construction work, assisting universities in significant projects and (procurement of) construction contracts. Nicola Gonnella advises on a range of issues, including IP, media and technology, as well as outsourcing, procurement and data protection. Cat Ellis has experience in a range of pension aspects, such as pension arrangements for universities. Vincent King assists clients with outsourcing, long-term contracts for the supply of services and funding agreements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is knowledgeable and takes into account the specific needs of our Institution, able to make recommendations and describe risks in ways that colleagues and decision-makers are able to understand.'
  • 'I have valued the open and honest nature of Rose Moss and Vincent King, who have always been willing to offer alternative proposals and explain legal terms in plain English to support challenging negotiations.'

Key clients

  • Newcastle University
  • Lancaster University
  • University of Keele
  • London University, SoAS
  • Bath Spa University
  • University of Cumbria
  • Queen Mary University London
  • University of Greenwich
  • The Open University
  • University of Leeds

Work highlights

  • Acting for the University of Cumbria in respect of the £110,000,000 new campus development.
  • Acted on behalf of the Open University in preparing, negotiating and agreeing multi-million pound Framework/Master Services Software Agreement and Technology Licensing Agreements.
  • Acted on behalf of SoAS In advising in relation to whether the institution was a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Martin Vincent

Other key lawyers

Josh Conroy, Richard Vaughan, Nicola Gonnella, Cat Ellis, Vincent King