Department profile
VWV

Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education)

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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VWV

Rankings

About

Provided by VWV

We work closely with over 50 Higher Education Institutions and many Further Education Colleges to support them at a time of great change, helping them to find creative solutions to the challenges and opportunities they face.

We were appointed as the top ranked firm on the One Stop Shop Lot of the National Legal Services Framework in 2017 and have since been appointed to the North East Universities Purchasing Consortium's National Intellectual Property Rights Framework and London Universities Purchasing Consortium's National Debt Recovery Framework. 

We provide a comprehensive range of legal services for higher and further education institutions, including student matters, employment, immigration, regulatory compliance, information law, commercial contracts and collaborations, banking and lending, intellectual property, brand protection, dispute resolution, property, procurement and state aid and governance.

Our experience means our clients can be confident that they are kept one step ahead of legal and regulatory changes and are able to manage the risks and opportunities that they face with confidence.

Clients (14)

  • Barnet and Southgate College
  • Brunel University
  • London South Bank University
  • Middlesex University
  • National Star College
  • Norland College
  • Oxford Brookes University
  • The Alan Turing Institute
  • The University of Law
  • University of Bath
  • University of Bristol
  • University of Exeter
  • University of Greenwich
  • University of Southampton

Industries (1)

  • Education

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) - UK-wide

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

VWV provides a full suite of services, including advice on real estate, employment issues and student complaints. The team fields particularly strong expertise in the development of university facilities and student accommodation. The firm is recommended for assisting universities with the procurement of systems and services of all kinds and is highly regarded for work at the intersection of education and charities law. It also offers clients a significant and highly rated offering in intellectual property matters.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • VWV advised Cardiff University on the establishment of the Cyber Innovation Hub in collaboration with the University of South Wales.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • VWV provides support around training, which is really helpful.

    Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK

  • The firm has an excellent understanding of the sector and educational institutions.

    Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK

  • VWV is able to navigate a number of complex legal situations and advise in a practical manner that enables our organisation to consider a multitude of legal risks.

    Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK

  • The VWV team is, in my experience, more responsive than other lawyers I've worked with.

    Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK

  • VWV advises in a very sensible and pragmatic way, which is refreshing.

    Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Jane Byford
    Jane Byford

    Jane Byford

    Jane Byford is a highly experienced employment practitioner, regularly sought by universities to advise on a wide range of issues including contracts, employment tribunals and Working Time Regulations.

    • Jane manages the team really smoothly and administers the relationship really well.

      Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK

    • Jane is very approachable and very pragmatic; she will chat an issue through and engage with you, rather than just telling you how to approach a matter.

      Education: Institutions (Higher & Further Education) respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at VWV (1)

UK-wide

Members

Provided by VWV

  • Nathan Guest

  • Con Alexander

  • Tom Brett Young

  • Jane Byford

    View profile of Jane Byford

  • Stephanie Rickard

  • Michael Halsey

  • Rachel Tonkin

  • Kris Robbetts

  • Paul Voller

  • Bob Fahy

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