Latest Contract Highlights Firm’s Specialist Education Expertise

The Association of Colleges (AoC) has announced a new partnership with Irwin Mitchell in a move which will see the leading national law firm become its employment helpline provider.

The announcement is part of AoC’s drive to further improve its range of membership services and will also result in specialist lawyers from Irwin Mitchell providing up-to-date templates, policies and handbooks, along with regular employment law related newsletters.

Established in 1996 to represent and provide a voice for further education at national and regional levels, the AoC’s membership is made up of general further education colleges, sixth form colleges and specialist colleges in England.

The colleges generate around 1,500 employment law queries per year and the calls are currently handled via the existing AoC helpline service.

Irwin Mitchell has been working with the AoC for a number of years and was invited to pitch for the helpline contract along with several other national firms. The contract starts on 1 August 2017 and will be managed by Irwin Mitchell’s 60-strong UK-wide employment team.

Expert Opinion

"Irwin Mitchell has considerable education sector knowledge and expertise and we are delighted to have this opportunity to extend our partnership with the AoC, whilst also being able to build closer relationships with member colleges." Fergal Dowling - Partner & Director of Legal Services (Commercial Advisory ＆ Disputes)

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges said: “We are delighted to partner with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors to provide our member colleges with dedicated expert advice on HR and employment law.  The Irwin Mitchell team will provide a range of high-quality services through events, webinars, briefings, and a dedicated helpline, for the benefit of all our members. This is an exciting development and we look forward to working closely with the team.”