Browne Jacobson LLP‘s education practice is well-regarded for advising the full range of education sector organisations, including schools, academies and multi-academy trusts, further and higher education institutions, charities and professional associations, as well as government bodies, on a range of issues, such as GDPR and data protection issues, safeguarding SEN work, academy projects, IP matters and governance structure advice. Dai Durbridge heads up the department in Manchester and focuses on safeguarding matters and data protection issues, acting for schools, MATs and academies. Helen Cairns assists higher education institutions, particularly academies, with a broad range of corporate, commercial and governance matters, while Tom Briant-Evans specialises in academy conversions, transfers and re-brokerages, governance matters and commercial agreements.
Education in North West
Browne Jacobson LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Dai Durbridge
Autres avocats clés:
Helen Cairns; Tom Briant-Evans
Les références
‘All of the team are approachable and highly knowledgeable. There is always an expert to speak to no matter what the question. Responses and support are comprehensive and timely.’
‘Tom Briant-Evans has led the conversion process for new academies. Tom is professional and leads a strong team of associates. You always get the feeling Tom and his team are doing their absolute utmost to ensure you get the outcome you want.’
‘Browne Jacobson’s education team has a very strong understanding of the sector both from a legal and practical perspective.’
Principaux clients
Accord Multi-Academy Trust
Achievement Through Collaboration Trust
Aspire Education Trust
Astrea Academy Trust
Beckfoot Trust
Champion Education Trust
Changing Lives Learning Trust
Cheshire Academies Trust
Christ the King Roman Catholic Primary School
Coleg Sir Gar
Consilium Academies
Co-op Academies Trust
Corpus Christi Catholic Academy Trust
Cumbria Education Trust
David Ross Education Trust
E-ACT
Ebor Academies Trust
Education Learning Trust
Empower Trust
Elevate Multi-Academy Trust
Great Schools Trust
Hope Sentamu Learning Trust York
Keswick School Multi-Academy Trust
Leodis Multi-Academy Trust
Northern Education Trust
Northern Star Academy Trust
North West Academies Trust
Oak Learning Partnership
Optimus Education
Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Pembrokeshire College
Rodillian Multi Academy Trust
Salford Diocese
SS Simon and Jude C of E Multi Academy Trust
St Edwards College
St James and Emmanuel Academy Trust
St Joseph’s Catholic MAT
The Enquire Learning Trust
Three Saints Academy Trust
Trinity Multi Academy Trust
Victorious Academies Trust
Vision MAT
Warrington Primary Academies Trust
White Rose Academies Trust
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Providing advice to higher education and further education institutions, schools, academies and private education institutions, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s education team ‘has wide-ranging expertise in all areas relevant to the Higher Education (HE) sector’. The education department is chaired by Diane Gilhooley in Manchester, while Robert Gray, who leads the North West education practice, works with education sector employers on a range of cross-border employment law issues, including redundancies, restructurings, collective and trade union issues, senior terminations, and governance and constitutional issues. Senior associate Laura Marsh advises on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Robert Gray; Diane Gilhooley; Nicola Bennison
Autres avocats clés:
Laura Marsh; David O’Hara
Les références
‘Robert Gray is always excellent: warm, responsive and wise!’
‘The Education team at Eversheds has wide-ranging expertise in all areas relevant to the Higher Education (HE) sector. They quickly adapt to becoming a part of the institution’s team and have a very solutions-focused and pragmatic approach. Matters are channelled in a professional way so that client engagement is set up smoothly and flexibly.’
‘Diane Gilhooley is our client partner and is always incredibly professional, approachable and responsive when contacted. She puts us in touch with the relevant colleague(s) at Eversheds as soon as contacted, leading to efficiency of process and allowing us to instruct quickly.’
Forbes Solicitors
Forbes Solicitors assists FE colleges, multi-academy trusts, academies, maintained schools, and independent schools on the full range of issues impacting educational establishments. Jonathan Holden is the national head of the department and has particular experience in advising educational institutions and public sector clients; he is also an expert in the Local Government Pension Scheme. Key members of the Lancashire-based team are Ruth Rule-Mullen, who specialises in employment law; Gemma Duxbury, who handles the creation of academy trusts; Catherine Kennedy, who is the key contact for property matters in relation to education; and Stephen McArdle, who supports clients in litigation. In Manchester, Laura McHugh is a key contact for public sector clients.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jonathan Holden
Autres avocats clés:
Ruth Rule-Mullen; Laura McHugh; Gemma Duxbury; Catherine Kennedy; Stephen McArdle
Les références
‘What sets Ruth Rule-Mullen and Forbes Solicitors apart is their comprehensive understanding of both Employment Law and the practical challenges faced by academies and school trusts. Under Ruth’s leadership, the education team at Forbes Solicitors demonstrates a commitment to staying ahead of the curve in employment law and education policy developments, ensuring that clients receive accurate and up-to-date advice tailored to their specific needs.’
‘We have the privilege of working closely with Ruth Rule-Mullen who is flexible and offers us unwavering legal and employment support, enabling us to navigate even the most challenging circumstances with resilience and success.’
‘Great team – always on hand to provide advice and support. Informative, knowledgeable and relevant. They make you feel safe in your decision making – but also challenge when appropriate. Will step in for meetings if necessary and will go the extra mile in terms of the relationship we have with them.’
Principaux clients
Bishop Frazer Trust
Blackburn College
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council
Bolton School
Calday Grange Grammar
Chaigeley School
Chesnara PLC
Chesterfield College
Cidari
Community First Academy Trust
Edapt
Education Partnership Trust
Lostock Hall Academy
New College Durham
Parbold Douglas
Penwortham Priory
Romero Catholic Academy Trust
True Learning Partnership
West Kirby School
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Cidari Multi Academy Trust in defending claims of disability discrimination, unfair dismissal, breach of contract and personal injury, by a Deputy Head Teacher of one the schools within the 10 school trust.
- Assisting Herts for Learning Education, offering legal support for employment matters, contractual queries, procurement support and data protection issues.
- Assisting Bolton School with defending a claim made by a senior member of staff that had been constructively dismissed, along with a claim of whistleblowing.
Hill Dickinson LLP
Advising academies, including single academy trusts and multi-academy trusts, colleges and universities, Hill Dickinson LLP is adept at handling an array of matters including academy conversions, employment issues, admission and exclusions advice, governance work and regulatory issues. Based in Liverpool, the department consists of Luke Green, who focuses on employment and education work in the school space, Joe Orme-Paul, who handles safeguarding, charity, and data protection law, and Kerstie Skeaping, who covers all aspects of employment law. Experienced consultant Iain Campbell assists with litigation and handles regulatory challenges in Manchester.
Responsables de la pratique:
Luke Green; Joe Orme-Paull; Kerstie Skeaping; Iain Campbell
Principaux clients
Dixons Academies Trust
University of Liverpool
The Heath Family (North West)
University of Leicester
Wade Deacon Trust
University of Salford
Star Academies
St David’s College, Llandudno
Methodist Academies and Schools Trust
University of Chester
Epworth Education Trust
Everyone Matters Schools Trust
University of York
Endeavour Learning Trust
Pope Francis Multi Academy Trust
Archdiocese of Liverpool
South East Essex Academy Trust
North Star Community Trust
Upton Hall FCJ School
Wirral Grammar School for Girls
West Kirby Grammar School
Neston High School
Frank Field Education Trust
Weaver Trust Limited
The Bay Learning Trust
Endeavour Multi Academy Trust
West Derby School
St Francis Xavier College
The Oldershaw School
Hilbre High School
Governing Body of Prenton Primary School
Governing Body of Rock Ferry Primary School
Governing Body of Bedford Drive Primary School
Governing Body of St George’s Primary School
Governing Body of St Hilda’s Church of England High School
Governing Body of Park Primary School
Governing Body of Helsby High
Governing Body of St Julie’s Catholic High School
Governing Body of Archbishop Beck Catholic High
Governing Body of Archbishop Beck High School
Governing Body of St John Bosco Arts College
Governing Body of Pensby High School
Big Life Schools
Carleton House Preparatory School
The Liverpool Blue Coat School
Governing Body of The Observatory School
Whitegate CE Primary School
Yarm School
All Saints Multi Academy Trust
Prosper Multi Academy Trust
SAIL Multi Academy Trust
The LIPA Multi Academy Trust
Northern Schools Trust
IEXEL Education Trust
Cranmer Education Trust
Bright Futures Education Trust
Great Academies Education Trust
BePart Educational Trust
United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation
Liverpool Association of Secondary Heads
Olive Tree Primary School, Bolton
Prenton High School for Girls
Daubhil Muslim t/a Oliver Tree Garden Nursery
Bellerive FCJ Catholic College
Blessed Christopher Wharton Catholic Academy Trust
Champion Education Trust
Islamia Schools Limited
St Ambrose Barlow RC High School
St Bedes RC High School
St Michael in the Hamlet Community Primary School
Wensley Fold CE Primary School
Weston Primary School
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for the University of Salford in connection with the suicide bombing at Manchester Arena in May 2017. The bomber was, at the time, a student at the University, which had a statutory duty to have regard, when exercising functions, to the need to prevent students from being ‘drawn into terrorism’.
- Assisting Star Academies with defending a disability discrimination claim.
- Assisting Methodist Academies and Schools Trust with incorporating a new academy trust which can accommodate Methodist, joint Methodist and CoE schools, along with community schools.
Weightmans LLP
In the North West, Weightmans LLP is well-regarded for its expertise in the higher education sector and assists with non-contentious and contentious issues. The team in Manchester advises universities in relation to procurement issues, covered by department head Martin Vincent, who is also the key contact for employment issues; as well as student complaints, which are covered by Josh Conroy, who specialises in high-value litigation, and highly sensitive matters such as issues arising from on-campus deaths and suicides. The department also advises on pensions, which is Philip Woolham’s area of expertise in Liverpool, as well as high-profile projects, an area which is covered by projects and commercial lawyer Vincent King in Manchester. In Liverpool, Rose Moss specialises in commercial real estate mandates.
Responsables de la pratique:
Martin Vincent
Autres avocats clés:
Josh Conroy; Vincent King; Rose Moss; Philip Woolham
Les références
‘Very easy to get along with, plain English and no jargon and sound trusted advice and guidance.’
‘The team are highly knowledgeable and have worked at pace on a complex project. Responses to questions have always been timely and provide the necessary detail to help inform decisions. The collaboration between the Weightmans team, client and third party has been exceptional, thinking outside the box and weighing up all possibilities to the challenges faced.’
‘Rose Moss has been my key contact at the firm, she has always been open and honest, approachable and friendly, providing invaluable advice throughout development and negotiation of bespoke contracts. Vincent King provided expert advice on bespoke contracts, helping us to make informed decisions and supporting negotiations. Both Vincent and Rose were always willing to accommodate our needs which made working with them much easier.’
Principaux clients
Newcastle University
Lancaster University
University of Keele
London University, SoAS
Bath Spa University
University of Cumbria
Queen Mary University London
University of Greenwich
The Open University
University of Leeds
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for the University of Cumbria in respect of the £110m new campus development.
- Acted on behalf of the Open University in preparing, negotiating and agreeing multi-million pound Framework/Master Services Software Agreement and Technology Licensing Agreements.
- Acted on behalf of SoAS in relation to whether the institution was a contracting authority for the purposes of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015.
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP advises a range of education clients on a broad range of matters, including commercial and real estate issues, governance and regulation matters, employment work, and international collaborations, well supported by the full-service national education team across the firm. Richard Sykes splits his time between Birmingham and Manchester, advising education institutions on public and administrative law, education disputes, and information governance issues, while Sara Barrett in Manchester supports educational clients on a wide range of employment matters. Siân Jones-Davies is a specialist in education, public law and regulatory matters, with a particular focus on student-related issues. Real estate education specialist Jennifer Lewis was promoted to the partnership in June 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Sykes; Sara Barrett
Autres avocats clés:
Siân Jones-Davies; Jennifer Lewis
Les références
‘The team provides pragmatic solutions in a timely and cost effective manner.’
‘Mills and Reeve provide excellent advice and service. They really know us as clients and take the time to remain up to date with our plans and challenges. They understand our risk appetite so although we may receive information about other options they will focus on the one which they know will be most acceptable and not waste time and money on other options.’
‘Sara Barrett is our main partner-level contact. She keeps in touch with us and ensures that we are happy with the service Mills and Reeve provide. She knows our company very well and this adds real value to the service provided.’
Principaux clients
Academies Enterprise Trust
Arden University Limited
Blackpool and the Fylde College
Bolton College
Bury College
Buckingham New University
Cardiff University
LTE Group (The Manchester College)
Manchester Metropolitan University
Nottingham Trent University
Oldham College
Sheffield Hallam University
The University of Nottingham
University of Cambridge
University of Bedfordshire
University of Derby
University of Exeter
University of Hertfordshire
University of Huddersfield
University of Kent
University of Lancaster
University of Liverpool
University of Manchester
University of Oxford
University of Salford
University of Southampton
University of Surrey
University of Worcester
University of York
Warrington & Vale Royal College
Wellcome Sanger Institute
West Thames College
University of York
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the University of Salford on its £850m masterplan.
- Advising the University of Huddersfield on the development of its Health Innovation Campus.
- Advising Manchester Metropolitan University in respect of its public realm improvements at its All Saints Campus.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Pinsent Masons LLP‘s university and higher education department frequently assists education sector clients with major student campus development projects, and strategic technology procurements and data projects, as well as litigating misconduct matters. Development and planning specialist Michael Pocock heads up the department in Manchester and advises the university and higher education sector on development projects, and assists student accommodation providers and investors with new schemes. Jonathan Brocklehurst‘s broad investment and development practice also covers student accommodations and is well-supported by senior associate Elizabeth Nuttall.
Responsables de la pratique:
Michael Pocock
Autres avocats clés:
Jonathan Brocklehurst; Elizabeth Nuttall; Beth Grant; Craig Tordoff
Principaux clients
Bricks Capital
University of Chester
University of Huddersfield
University of Sheffield
University of Manchester
Manchester Metropolitan University
Birkbeck College and University of London
London Legacy Development Corporation
City, University of London
The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
King’s College London
Principaux dossiers
- Successfully defended a judicial review action seeking to challenge the lawful use by Birkbeck, University of London of one of its key assets.
- Advising Bricks Capital in respect of its acquisition and subsequent disposal of Phase 2, Discovery Quay PBSA Development in Salford for circa £70m, a student scheme comprising a 15 storey building with 457 bedrooms.
- Drafting a collaboration agreement between University of Sheffield, University of Manchester and University of Leeds in relation to the distribution of a funding grant received by the parties for the creation of a high-profile talent community across the North Triangle.