DAC Beachcroft Construction and Engineering team advises University of Sunderland on new anatomy centre

Published 10 February 2021

Lawyers from DAC Beachcroft’s Construction and Engineering team have advised the University of Sunderland on its new Cadaveric Anatomy facility. Future doctors will study in the centre, using a blend of virtual dissection and hands-on cadaveric anatomy. Planning permission has been granted and construction is due to begin this month on the facility, which will be used to train surgeons and medical students.

When completed, the facility will be a key component of the University’s School of Medicine, providing training for paramedicine, physiotherapy and nursing students in addition to medical students.

DAC Beachcroft advised the University on procurement, contract drafting and negotiation of the design and build contract and suite of consultants’ appointments.

DAC Beachcroft partner James Harrison, who led the team advising the University of Sunderland, said, “The construction of the new cadaveric centre will provide a boost to the School of Medicine’s property portfolio and reinforce its standing as a centre for excellence in medical education. We are delighted to have played our part in this strategic project for the University.”

Head of the University of Sunderland School of Medicine Scott Wilkes, said, ”The construction of the new cadaveric centre – and the types of invaluable training it will allow us to provide, is a significant addition to our undergraduate anatomy training and postgraduate surgical offering here at the University.”

Patrick Houghton, Senior Solicitor at the University of Sunderland, who worked closely with the DACB team, said, “We are very grateful to the team at DAC Beachcroft, whose breadth and depth of expertise throughout the process was instrumental in getting the project to this stage.” 

James Harrison was supported on the project by solicitor Chris Durnien.

The Construction and Engineering team forms part of the wider DAC Beachcroft Real Estate practice, which is one of the UK’s largest, and provides a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary service in a broad range of sectors.