Higher and Further Education
Dispute-led and governance-sensitive support for universities and sector stakeholders
Higher education institutions operate within complex governance frameworks, regulatory expectations and stakeholder scrutiny. Disputes often carry reputational sensitivity and intersect with employment, procurement, construction, technology delivery and high-value commercial arrangements. Time-critical issues may require urgent relief to protect continuity of service, research assets or strategic relationships.
We act for universities, sector suppliers, senior leadership teams, governors, investors and counterparties in disputes and investigations affecting higher education operations.
Our expertise in higher education disputes
Governance disputes, investigations and stakeholder scrutiny
We advise on:
- Board and committee decision-making disputes, including challenge risk and documentation
- Internal investigations (misconduct, governance failings, whistleblowing and culture issues)
- Privilege strategy and regulator-facing engagement where scrutiny arises
- Reputation-sensitive dispute management and communications alignment (within proper legal constraints)
Employment and senior exits in education institutions
We act on:
- Senior leadership disputes, disciplinary issues and negotiated exits
- Whistleblowing and culture-related claims
- Business protection, confidentiality and team-move risk
- Collective workforce issues where operational continuity matters
We handle disputes involving:
Commercial, procurement and delivery disputes
We handle disputes involving:
- Technology procurement, systems delivery and outsourced service performance
- Research collaboration and funding disputes, including IP ownership and exploitation issues
- Supplier and facilities disputes (including estates and maintenance frameworks)
- Construction and refurbishment disputes affecting critical campus infrastructure
How we work with professional services clients
- Governance-first discipline: defensible processes and board-ready documentation
- Discretion and speed: urgent relief where continuity or assets are at risk
- Cross-disciplinary disputes capability: employment, procurement, technology, construction and commercial litigation
- Risk reporting: structured updates suitable for governors and audit/risk committees
Contact us
If you are dealing with an investigation, governance dispute, procurement conflict or operational litigation, we can assist.
Discuss a time-critical dispute affecting services or reputation
Arrange an independent review of dispute posture and privilege strategy
Request our latest governance and investigations briefings