Consumer Protection Law Compliance Working Group

Committee description

Secretary: Mike Edge, Email: mikeedge@liverpool.ac.uk

Terms of Reference

a)    To have oversight that in developing and implementing its policies, procedures and terms and conditions, the University has given due regard to relevant guidance* about how to comply with consumer protection law.

b)    Having regard to the above, the Group will undertake periodic reviews to:

i.    Ensure that applicants and students are provided with accurate information about their course and the University and that such information is quantifiable, timely, accessible and enforceable.
•    This will involve undertaking reviews of the University’s approach to information management and provision.
ii.    Ensure students enter into student contracts that have transparent and fair terms and conditions.
•    This will involve reviewing annual iterations of the University’s Programme Terms and Conditions (student contract), approving minor changes and recommending substantial changes to the Senior Leadership Team.  This includes on-campus, online and non-standard student contracts.
•    To receive an annual overview of the University’s Residences contract.
iii.    Ensure that complaint handling practices are clear, accessible and fair.
•    This will involve reviewing both the annual admissions and student complaints monitoring reports in advance of their submission to the University Senate and Council.

c)    To promote and raise awareness of consumer protection law across the University.

Reporting Relationships

The Consumer Protection Law Compliance Working Group reports into the Senior Leadership Team and refers matters to the Education Committee.
CPLCWG will also recommend matters to other parts of the governance structure where necessary.

Frequency of Meetings

The Consumer Protection Law Compliance Working Group usually meets once per term (three times an academic year).

Quorum

The quorum for meetings shall be one third of the membership.

* Higher education: consumer law advice for providers - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) / Protecting students as consumers - Office for Students

Members or key people

Ex officio members:

Assistant Director of Legal and Insurance Services J Fox (Chair)
Director of Student Experience and Enhancement Dr P Redmond
Head of Student Administration, Student Life P Leonard
Head of Student Conduct, Complaints & Compliance, Student Life N Casson
Student Experience Manager (Administrative Services), Student Life M Percival
Director, SRAWP or their nominee J King (nominee) Associate Director, Admissions
Director or Marketing or their nominee E Bell (nominee) Head of Undergraduate and International Marketing Communications
Head of AQSD or their nominee L McAleer (nominee) Deputy Head of AQSD
A Student Representative Officer (nominated annually by the Guild of Students, from the elected Student Officers) V Samuels
Strategic Director for Liverpool Online L Evans
Faculty Heads of Education and Student Experience C Wathen (Humanities and Social Sciences)
G Latham (Health and Life Sciences)
E Carter-Brown (Science and Engineering)
University Solicitor S Aitchison

Appointed members 2023/24

An Academic Representative ** P Goddard (Academic Lead for Recruitment, Admissions and Widening Participation, Faculty of HSS) 2022 - 2025

If members are unable to attend please nominate a Deputy to attend in your absence.

Other members may be co-opted or invited to attend for specific meetings at the discretion of the Group.

** Members in this category shall be appointed for maximum three years, and be eligible for re-appointment when vacancies are advertised.