Buckworths advises businesses and entrepreneurs working with or supplying to local government bodies, universities, and the broader public sector. Whether you are a start-up winning your first public sector contract, a scale-up building a partnership with a university, or a technology business seeking to commercialise research, we have the expertise to support you.
We advise on public sector procurement, including understanding the legal framework for tendering, navigating contract terms imposed by public bodies, and negotiating the commercial provisions that matter most to your business. Public sector contracts often include onerous liability clauses, IP assignment requirements, and reporting obligations, and we make sure you understand what you are agreeing to before you sign.
We advise on university and research institution collaboration agreements, joint development agreements, and IP licensing arrangements arising from publicly funded research. IP ownership in the context of university collaborations is a common source of disputes, and getting the documentation right from the outset is essential.
We also advise on spinout structures for university-originated businesses, including company incorporation, founders agreements, IP transfer from the university, and early-stage funding including SEIS and EIS. We work closely with university technology transfer offices and innovation hubs to support spinout founders through the early stages of building their businesses.
For businesses supplying technology, software, or services to local government or NHS bodies, we advise on the specific data protection obligations that apply when handling public sector data, including compliance with the UK GDPR, NHS data security standards, and the requirements of data sharing agreements with public bodies.
Book a free consultation to discuss your public sector or university matter.
Our Services
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FAQs
Public sector contracts often include onerous liability caps, IP assignment clauses, audit rights, and TUPE provisions on termination that need careful review before signing. Public bodies are also subject to procurement regulations which can affect how contracts are awarded. We advise businesses on their rights and obligations when entering into public sector contracts.
IP ownership in university collaborations depends on what is agreed in the collaboration agreement. Universities typically seek to retain ownership of IP arising from publicly funded research. Where a business is funding the research, negotiating an assignment or exclusive licence is often possible. Getting IP ownership provisions right at the start is essential, as disputes over IP later can be very costly. We advise on university collaboration agreements and IP ownership.
A spinout is a company formed to commercialise IP or technology developed at a university. Setting up a spinout typically involves negotiating an IP licence or assignment from the university, incorporating the company, putting a founders agreement and shareholders agreement in place, and securing early-stage funding including SEIS investment. We advise spinout founders on all aspects of the process and work closely with university technology transfer offices.