Jeremy Whiteley & Frances Barnwell, Oxford University

'Our Legal Services and Personnel Services teams work closely with Nabarro across a wide range of topics including employment law, governance, disciplinary issues, charity law and trusts, grant funding and intellectual property.

Oxford is a highly visible institution on the national and international stage. It is a unique and complex environment. The hallmark of top academics is their high intellect and self-motivation but these qualities impact on their willingness to accept controls. At the same time, the principle of free speech is written into our Statutes. This means that when we have issues we look for bomb proof advice – from the outset!

Nabarros are familiar with the culture and procedures of the University. They are able to take in a vast amount of detailed information very quickly and have a keen sense of how a particular course of action may ‘play’ in the Oxford environment. It is a relationship built on trust and respect rather than the service of a legal organisation who tick the right boxes – although we expect them to do that too.

Looking to the future, the areas of employment, freedom of information and Government regulation, and the complex issues of finance that necessarily affect a large organisation will all present significant challenges. The next few years are going to be exciting ones for Oxford and we expect to provide Nabarros with ample scope for further guidance!’