About Us

The Legal Services Department provides legal, regulatory and commercial advice and support on a broad range of matters to the University Executive Board and its individual members; Heads of School; Heads of Directorates; Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellors; other professional services within the University; and, subject to the approval of the Heads of School or Heads of Directorate, all staff acting on University business.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

Our role and what we do:

• We act as a guardian of the rule of law within the university, ensuring that the University’s activities align with all relevant laws
• We develop strategy with UEB and other senior leaders to support the university’s aims and its legal compliance
• We provide accurate, practical and timely legal advice on a broad range of matters (see ‘Areas we can provide advice and support on’ below)   
• We work collaboratively with UEB and other stakeholders across all schools and directorates to help shape and deliver on strategy and provide legal and regulatory advice from an early stage or when requested
• We identify, assess and mitigate legal, ethical and reputational risks, ensuring that decisions align with the University’s risk appetite
• We review, draft and negotiate a variety of contracts and agreements - Contracts directory
• We assist stakeholders in understanding the legal implications of their activities and empower them to manage risks effectively
• We advise on regulatory and compliance matters, including but not limited to  compliance with our conditions of registration, consumer law and charity law. 
• We support the organisation in navigating new legal and regulatory developments
• We manage relationships with external legal counsel, ensuring cost-effective and high-quality support when specialist advice is required
• We develop and maintain legal resources, including templates and guidance documents, to improve efficiency and support the wider organisation.  A number of these templates are self-service documents which can be accessed and used by University staff 

Areas we can provide advice and support on

• Drafting and negotiating contracts and other legal agreements or arrangements with external organisations, both local and internationally based
• Terminating, amending and interpreting existing agreements and contracts
• Legal and regulatory compliance and risk
• Legal issues arising from the University’s estate
• Intellectual property matters
• Registration, use and protection of trademarks
• Education and student matters
• Employment matters
• Governance matters
• Commercial and Corporate matters
• University Strategic Projects
• Drafting and reviewing policies, procedures and regulations
• Reviewing and advising on legal aspects of communications
• Managing disputes and claims either against the University or brought by the University
• Copyright compliance
• Data protection and Freedom of Information

Copyright compliance	Copyright Officer
Contractual activity regarding research	Research Services
Contracts or Questions relating to the purchase of goods or services	Procurement
Staff matters	HR
Insurance matters	Insurance Officer

If your query relates to one of the following matters, please first seek advice from colleagues in the relevant department, who will contact and involve Legal Services when necessary.

Please note that as the Legal Services lawyers work for the University, they are unable to provide advice or support to staff or students on private matters, or in relation to claims they may have against the University.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

When and how to contact Legal Services

We encourage colleagues to involve Legal Services from an early stage so that we can provide timely advice as appropriate.  

Requests for legal advice should be submitted via HighQ