Closing the Deal, negotiating agreement and completing contracts

Speakers:            
Dr Anne McNall (Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Northumbria University)
Deborah Wise (Legal Service – Northumbria University)                               
Hugh Rhodes (RBS – Northumbria University) 

Following a positive discussion with a potential client, you need to move forward to a position where you have an agreement in principle between the parties.  Once an agreement exists, we need to bring a legal framework around the project which protects the interests of the University and you, as an academic.

Dr Anne McNall will introduce the approach taken to develop agreements with various different parties in the commercialisation of her innovative training programme.  This will introduce some of the challenges represented by dealing with complex funding arrangements (as the Health funding landscape changes) and, dealing with a commercially aggressive private sector client.

Deborah Wise will talk delegates through the approach Legal Services take to support Academic and other Service staff establish good contracts.  Legal Services can assist in the negotiation of terms of agreement and will advise on the meaning of complex legal clauses.

Hugh Rhodes will be an active part of this workshop and undertake a question and answer session at the conclusion of the presentations to identify how the University ultimately makes decisions about what is a good deal for the University and how these are costed and agreed internally.