We have been the sole provider of legal services to Cumbria since 2009, working closely with the senior management team. We were recently re-appointed for another 4 years in 2023. Our reappointment feedback was based on our quality advice, responsiveness and depth of understanding of the client’s needs.
Our client relationship management approach is informed by our experience as senior managers within Higher Education which we are told sets us apart from competitors. We provide a dedicated CRM contact who understands Cumbria’s context when queries arise and their need for cost certainty. Our key CRM contact at the University is the University Secretary who is responsible for legal spend and risk management. Cumbria’s focus is to obtain first class legal advice which is both pragmatic and proportionate to the risk. We work hard to keep abreast of client developments, the client’s risk appetite and to manage cost. Our focus is to remain informed on University priorities. We hold monthly CRM meetings as part of our agreed arrangements and are available on demand to help ‘trouble shoot’ scenarios. This enables the client to plan. A key feature of our service is planning with the client for efficient legal spend. We work together to achieve this. Our expertise includes protecting the University’s interests and resources by taking a proportionate approach. Our service reflects our investment in delivering advice that is easy to understand and is one the client values.
Added value
The depth of our CRM relationships at Cumbria is reflected in the training we deliver bi-annually. The topics reflect those areas where the manager and ourselves have identified refresher training or upskilling is needed. We hold legal clinics for mangers on campus, share insights and Cumbria staff are invited to update briefings. Our One View online management portal provides Cumbria with transparency on not only costs but also volume and type of matters so they can identify areas of significant interaction with us (or not) and spot trends in usage that might point to areas for upskilling and training to improve performance and reduce costs. We sponsor student prizes and offer a range of work experience opportunities.
Commercial law
We have undertaken a very significant exercise with Cumbria in drafting framework agreements for the consultants of various disciplines and call-off contracts which will make projects much more straightforward. We are currently advising Cumbria on undertaking a very significant and ambitious programme of development and growth. This includes the commercial and procurement aspects of significant projects including the Citadels, Project Barrow and the Medical School with Imperial. The Citadels project involves £49m grant funding; procurement (funding clawback risk management advice) and agreements with the local authority. The Barrow project involves partnership with industry (BAE) to share facilities; develop joint academic programmes and construction of specialist facilities. We add value to these complex projects due to our deep understanding of issues and we provide a positive contribution because we are heavily invested in their success; professionally and personally.
Corporate law
Supporting Cumbria on numerous corporate matters including Company Secretary queries, IP policy, research spin-outs and collaborative partnerships. Our governance advice includes corporate and charity advice.
Litigation
Advising on cyber security incidents concerning student data to successfully resolve claims; advising on removal of unauthorised occupiers from commercial premises, serving of relevant notices required, including advising and providing Tort Notices in relation to goods left behind.
Property and Construction
The Citadels project is a complex scheme to create a new campus using the historic Citadels building as a gateway into the city of Carlisle. The many and varied elements of the project include advising on acquisition of the property and its development, appointment of the professional team, managing planning and environmental challenges and commencement of the negotiation of the building contract.
Barrow is a multi-disciplinary project enabling the development funding, land acquisition, building and operation of the ambitious, sensitive and challenging new campus facility at BAE’s site in Barrow. Our advice includes:
- Funding via the multi-million grant from Barrow Borough Council as a key component of the Council’s Towns Fund deal from the Department for Levelling Up, Communities and Housing.
- Land acquisition contracts, ensuring client interests are properly protected, including as to inherent risks e.g. environmental.
- The carrying out of extensive enabling works by BAE.
- The building of the new facilities by the University, and their subsequent operation.
- The learning and teaching agreement, research and collaboration agreement and a separate agreement for the occupation by the University of BAE’s existing high security Submarine Academy for Skills and Knowledge.
Student matters
Advising on student related issues including disability discrimination, Fitness to Practice, disciplinary and student complaints.
Employment law
At Cumbria we provide a fixed fee Employment support service ‘HR Rely’, (client’s choice of model) which includes email/hotline service for ad hoc HR queries, members benefits and preferential rates for non-employment queries. This is delivered by a dedicated team of HE employment specialists including Melanie Steed with 15 years in-house experience at University of Leeds. We undertake Tribunals, including a complex discrimination claim in 2022 requiring media advice and support. We advise on pension issues and alternative structures for public sector schemes.
Data protection matters
Advising the DPO on data queries and have advised in depth on the Requirement for data transfer arrangements and legislative changes post Brexit. This has included a process for client risk assessment and compliance with Regulations; including data transfers across borders.
Regulatory compliance
Advising on all aspects relevant to the University core services and outreach activities including Disclosure and Barring, Safeguarding, immigration, health and safety, and Coroners Court. We are panel lawyers for University insurers and also defend those claims which proceed as insured claims.
