Partner Article

Dickinson Dees selected for elite education panel

Northern law firm Dickinson Dees has been appointed to an elite panel to advise the further education sector in the North East.

The Newcastle-based law firm has been selected by the Crescent Purchasing Consortium, whose aim is to access quality legal advice at competitive rates for its members.

Rowan Ferguson, head of education at Dickinson Dees, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed to the Panel. It is a ringing endorsement of the skills we possess in this highly competitive sector and we look forward to working with further education colleges and universities across the region and providing them with first-class legal advice.”

Ray Corner of the Crescent Purchasing Consortium said: “The response to the consortium’s tender exercise was substantial and very competitive. The result is that some colleges will make cash savings whilst others will benefit from better quality legal support than they have previously been able to afford.”

Rowan Ferguson explained: “In these challenging economic times, the further education sector is coming under increasing pressure from both central government and the Learning and Skills Council to monitor and, if possible, to cut its expenditure. One of the most effective ways to do this is to streamline its procurement process and this is why these elite panels of law firms have been set up across the country.”

The panels began their work in January this year for a two-year period initially, but it is anticipated that the agreement will be extended for third and fourth years in due course.

For further information, please contact Rowan Ferguson of Dickinson Dees on 0191 279 9000 or Robert Beaumont of Robert Beaumont Associates on 01423 323139.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .