JISC Legal
JISC Legal provides the tertiary education sector with legal information to prevent legal issues from becoming a barrier to the adoption of information and communications technologies in learning, teaching and administration.
JISC Legal's areas of expertise
JISC Legal case study
Data protection
The electronic storage of student and staff personal data brings with it legal duties concerning privacy and security. Learning providers typically hold identification information, contact details and the educational record of a student, and often financial details - all within the scope of data protection.
Intellectual property
Understanding copyright in order to use other people's materials, registering the results of academic research for patent protection, and protecting the 'brand' of the institution all fall within areas of interest for tertiary education institutions.
Human rights
A number of fundamental rights adopted through the Human Rights Act 1998 may impact on the way institutions operate, from the right to privacy of private correspondence (including email) to the right to a fair hearing in disciplinary matters.
Freedom of Information
Institutions need to be aware of their legal duty to maintain a publication scheme and to disclose information upon request under the relevant Freedom of Information Act. The design of technology for records management must be capable of allowing compliance with the deadlines set in law.
Disability
Institutions are placed under a legal duty to ensure accessibility of their learning provision. This includes good design of online learning materials to avoid creating barriers to learners with disabilities, and making reasonable adjustments to the learning environment to allow access.
e-Security
Institutions will want to protect themselves from unauthorised and illegal use of their technology. However, monitoring, surveillance and other measures all must take place within the limits of law designed to balance security with privacy.
Cybercrime
Institutions must recognise that the technology they use can be the object of crime in itself (e.g. hacking and theft of information), as well as being a possible conduit for other criminal activities (e.g. fraud and distribution of child pornography). Education providers need to be aware of these possible misuses of technology, to educate users and to enforce acceptable use policies.
ISP liability
Through the provision of internet services, institutions may become liable in certain circumstances for misuse. For example, within the field of copyright law, secondary infringement may happen when an institution allows the transmission of copyright breaching material, such an unauthorised MP3s.
What we can do for you
JISC Legal offers:
- guidance publications on our website
- workshops and briefing days held around the UK
- a three working day turnaround enquiry service by email, online form and telephone
- a news section on the website, keeping the community up-to-date with legal news relevant to colleges and universities, with an explanation of the practical consequences wherever possible
- a Law Watch section on the website, flagging future changes in the law relevant to the use of technology in colleges and universities
- a newsletter - a once-a-month digest of relevant news, events and new publications available through subscription at the JISC Legal website