Barrister and life peer Lord Grabiner QC has been appointed president of the University of Law as the institution reshuffles its senior management while seeking to boost its appeal by offering a money-back guarantee to students.

Grabiner (pictured) took up his role at the start of August and will also serve as a non-executive director contributing to the oversight and development of the university.

His appointment comes as David Johnston replaces John Latham as chief executive. Latham left his positions as chief executive and president shortly after the university was sold to Global University Systems two months ago. Johnston was previously the chief operations officer.

Meanwhile the UoL is offering students half of their fees back if they do not get a job in ‘legal or commerce fields’ within nine months of graduating. The money-back offer will apply to students starting full- or part-time Legal Practice Courses in September this year.

Tuition fees for the LPC vary from £10,950 to £14,765 and the course is offered in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Bristol, Guildford and Chester.

UoL says the commitment addresses key student concerns over employability, graduate debt and value for money.

Its main rival BPP Law School has had a similar commitment to students since 2013, offering those who do not obtain legal employment within six months of graduating a free place on another course. 

Johnston said the UoL’s commitment follows its success in securing more training contracts for its students than other law colleges. According to the UoL, 97% of its full-time LPC students who graduated last summer secured employment within nine months of graduation.

Johnston said: ‘More than just a degree, today’s students want a clear return on their investment. For law graduates, this means one thing: securing a training contract or a full-time job upon graduation.

‘Our position as the preferred training provider to over 30 major law firms and our experience in training highly skilled law practitioners give us the confidence and the assurance that our graduates will be in employment within nine months.’