Collaborations – with other organisations
Partner FE colleges and accredited FE colleges
Partnering and collaboration are key objectives of the Department of Education and are seen as pivotal under the White Paper on Higher Education. Over the recent past there has been considerable activity in this area and we have advised a number of HE and FE colleges in respect of partnering and collaboration agreements both within the sector and external to it, in particular with other government agencies such as the Department of Health (in respect of nurse education and professions allied to dentistry). We have also advised colleges in respect of the provision of training to local authorities for a variety of qualifications including NVQs. The importance of ensuring that the original agreement between universities and the other partnering agencies has become clear to us as a result of acting on a number of high profile cases involving EU agreements (see dispute resolution above).
We have been involved in a number of bespoke projects involving overseas campuses, the recruitment of overseas students or other "one off" projects. We have also dealt with collective redundancy situations in relation to overseas campuses. We are aware of the often complex cultural and legal issues that can arise and are experienced at handling these with care.
Placement providers
We have drawn up and negotiated clinical placement agreements in the health sectors dealing with a variety of complex issues, particularly in respect of liability for the actions of those on placement.
Research organisations
We have experience in negotiating complex long term funding of research projects. Most recently advising one client where their joint partner had to be joined into a research project with a life of 40 years. Our experience in this area is allied to our considerable experience generally in respect of outsourcing and procurement work both for public and private sector.
