Exclusive: The College University of Law is at an advanced stage of negotiations to take over the stricken Oxford Brookes LPC, which last week we revealed was to close. The deal is said to be "three-quarters complete". If it goes through, it will see the University of Law deliver Oxford Brookes' full-time and part-time courses from September at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice (OXILP)...
Update 7pm: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has publicly confirmed the news of the advanced talks. In a piece just published, Lawyer2B quotes an SRA spokesperson as describing the discussions between the University of Law and Oxford Brookes as "ongoing". The spokesperson added that the SRA’s role is to observe the talks, approve any transfer and "to make sure there is no diminution in quality of training for students".
This is what else we have heard. If the deal goes through...
The part-time Brookes LPC students who reach the midway point of their studies this summer won't have to pay any extra in fees to complete with the University of Law (Oxford Brookes fees are slightly lower than Uni of Law fees).
Fees from September 2013 for new students will probably be set at the same rate as those for students at the Birmingham branch of the University of Law (this is unconfirmed).
All classes will be taught in the same OXILP buildings.
Again, if the deal goes through. But apparently it's looking very likely.