Our team
Maria Burquest - University Secretary and General Counsel
Maria is LJMU’s University Secretary and General Counsel and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. Maria heads up Legal and Governance Services, which includes the Data Protection team, Secretariat and the Legal team. Maria is principally responsible for all statutory and constitutional matters relating to the governance of the University which includes support for the Board of Governors and Academic Board, the administration of Freedom of Information and Data Protection and the publicly facing documentation regarding the business of the University.
Maria is the principal point of contact for those seeking to raise allegations of suspected misconduct, illegal acts or wrongdoing pursuant to the Whistleblowing Policy.
Contact details
Email: m.c.burquest@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6124
Sue Ashurst - PA to Maria Burquest
Sue is PA to Maria Burquest and also provides administrative and organisational support to the Legal Team.
Contact details
Email: s.e.ashurst@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6125
Lois Wiegand - Head of Legal and Deputy General Counsel
Lois manages the Legal Team on a day-to-day basis and is responsible for overseeing the team of Commercial and Employment lawyers ensuring that the Legal Team are providing timely quality service to its colleagues. Lois is responsible for compliance and regulatory matters and helps the university manage and minimise its legal risks. One of Lois’ main objectives is to ensure that the Legal Team creates and maintains strong and effective partnerships with colleagues and provides a comprehensive in-house legal service to those partners. Should you wish to discuss any issues relating to the Legal Team or have any complaints, suggestions for improvement or positive feedback please contact Lois.
Contact details
Email: l.m.wiegand@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 6365
Commercial Matters
Our commercial team primarily provide general contract advice in addition to advising on a wide range of other matters, including:
- academic collaboration including research and innovation
- exploitation and protection of intellectual property
- termination or extension of contracts or existing arrangements
- legal aspects of project planning
- due diligence processes
- potential commercial disputes or litigation
- new or upcoming legislation or regulation and its impact on the University
- the fulfilment of obligations under applicable data protection laws and those arising from the Freedom of Information Act
- Competition Law and Subsidy Control
- Public Procurement
- property and real estate matters
The team is also responsible for instructing external solicitors if specialist advice is required.
Contact details
Adam Jones - Solicitor (Commercial)
Email: a.g.jones@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 1840
Ros Leahy
Email:r.leahy@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 231 5234
Employment Matters
Our employment team advises on a wide range of employment law issues including:
- developing and reviewing policies and procedures
- raising understanding and awareness of new legislation and the practical implications of this for the University
- helping the University manage and minimise its legal risk in relation to employment matters
- “atypical” staff contract arrangements, for example, where an employment contract is linked to a specific project or grant funding, honorary appointments, joint appointments or overseas arrangements
- secondment arrangements – whether staff are being seconded out or into the University, ensuring that the University has adequate legal protection in place for dealing with any issues that might arise during or after the secondment
- providing advice to HR and Board on employee casework processes, TUPE transfers, restructuring and strategic staffing issues
- supporting the University’s commitment to Respect Always! and ensuring compliance with the University’s legal obligations in relation to equality and diversity
- Employment Tribunal claims brought by current or former employees of the University; advising in relation to discrimination matters
- student issues
Contact details
David Watson
Email: d.j.watson@ljmu.ac.uk
Telephone: 0151 904 1041