We are a team of solicitors and support staff who provide in-house legal services to Schools, Colleges and Central Services across UCC in support of it's strategic and operational goals.

This includes providing a wide range of legal advice on contracts, policies, compliance matters, dispute resolution, property matters and other legal issues. 

There are many legal issues that arise where the first point of contact should be with the relevant team in the university, e.g. HR for staffing matters, Procurement Office for purchasing, Research Office for research contracts, and the Deputy President and Registrar's Office for student matters.

We do not provide staff and students with advice on personal legal matters.

Staff

When you are thinking of working or collaborating with third parties, (e.g. individuals, companies, government departments or otherwise), you will most likely need a written enforcable contract which has been approved and authorised by the University in accordance with the University Signing Authority Policy.

Negotiating contracts can take time so it is important that you involve us in the process as early as possible. This will enable us to advise on and assist with the necessary procedures, any applicable legislation and prepare or review the associated documentation. 

We also work closely with other university office’s to support other university activities so, for example, if your query relates to:

• a procurement matter/contract, please contact the Procurement Office in the first instance who will liaise with us as necessary
• a research matter/contract, please contact the Office for Vice President of Research & Innovation in the first instance who have a number of templates and will liaise with us as appropriate
• an academic programme or related collaborative initiative, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs and Governance  in the first instance who have a number of templates and will liaise with us as appropriate
• a student issue/matter, please speak to your Head of Unit in the first instance.  Consideration should then be given to contacting the Director of Student Experience or Deputy President and Registrar’s Office who will then liaise with us as necessary.

Contact Us

Please complete the Legal Affairs Briefing Document if you have a query for us and forward to the most relevant .

Researchers

We work directly with the Office of Vice President of Research & Innovation (and Tyndall National Institute) to support UCC’s research community so if your contract or query relates to a research project, please complete a briefing instruction and contact the Research Office in the first instance which will then liaise with the legal/financial/technology transfer offices as appropriate.

Students

As a student if you feel you need legal help, please speak to members of the Students Union or your class representative. 

UCC's student related policies can be found https://www.ucc.ie/en/academicgov/policies/se-policies/

IT and Property Infrastructure

The Office of Legal Affairs works closely with Buildings & Estates and IT Services to manage the University’s property and IT infratructure.  If you have feel you need help in this area, please contact Building & Estates or IT Services as appropriate in the first instance and they will liaise with us as necessary.

IT Policies such as the Acceptable Usage Policy are available online: https://www.ucc.ie/en/it-policies/policies/

For futher information on Buildings and Estates please see their website: https://www.ucc.ie/en/build/

Contact Us

Please complete the Legal Affairs Briefing Document if you have a query for us and forward to the most relevant .

Community Engagement

We provide assistance on community engagement as and when required for special projects.  If you feel you need our help, please contact your Head of Department who will liaise with us as appropriate.

Contact Us

Please complete the Legal Affairs Briefing Document if you have a query for us and forward to the most relevant .