Association of University Legal Practitioners Conference

We recently attended and Partner, Stephen Pearson spoke at the Association of University Legal Practitioners conference (AULP) at Newcastle.

Universities and other Public Bodies such as Local Authorities shared a lot of features although they are not the same. For example the Public Procurement and Subsidy Control Regime apply to both, although historically some have tried to claim that the complex funding of Universities prevents them from falling within the scope of “Bodies governed by Public Law”.

In fact, many university lawyers have spent time in-house with Local Authorities.

Key subjects for discussion included:

• The Increasing “Consumer Rights” approach of Students/Service Users and dealing with complaints effectively and promptly.
• Reconciling employment disputes and preventing discrimination/dealing with grievances effectively.
• Protecting free speech and latest government proposals to avoid “cancelling” of invited speakers.
• How to discharge your duties with regard to immigrant employees.
• The extent to which Universities owe a “Duty of Care”/Safeguarding obligation towards students.
• The effect of AI on not just plagiarism but following its use as a tool to interact with the public (for example via Chatbots).
• Duties to report and to follow-up “Prevent” activities in light of the Terrorist attack on the Ariana Grande concert (the perpetrator was a University Student).
• Income generation via Spin-off bodies and the creation of contractual and corporate joint ventures including for property development.

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If any of these issues chime with what you are doing please contact Stephen Pearson or contact another member of our Local Government team.