Browne Jacobson LLP is particularly active in advising higher education providers alongside academic trusts, schools and academies, and universities on matters spanning trust mergers, safeguarding issues, and employment mandates, through to complaints and broader diversity and inclusion matters. Based in Exeter, team leader Julia Green is highly experienced in pastoral work and assisting education providers with transferring to academy and trust status. Higher education and employment expert Bettina Rigg counts equality, diversity and inclusion matters among her areas of expertise and often represents clients in discrimination claims. Daniella Davies consults on a wide scope of recruitment, discipline, management, union and HR matters, with Victoria Hatton assisting on academy, governance, and student-related mandates. Rachel Billen regularly assists with employment matters including employment tribunal claims; Marie Ashton is also highly active in employment work.
Education in South West
Browne Jacobson LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Julia Green
Autres avocats clés:
Bettina Rigg; Daniella Davies; Rachel Billen; Marie Ashton; Victoria Hatton
Les références
‘The team takes time to understand the assets they are dealing with and the objectives of their clients, both for the specific transaction and wider business. They are proactive and come forward with incisive suggestions to improve a transaction, be it a drafting or structural point.’
‘This is an exceptionally strong team with a proven record as one of the top education law firms.’
‘Julia Green! The principal is excellent and she give personal attention to us. Julia is so experienced and writes brilliant and detailed responses to queries.’
Principaux clients
An Daras Multi Academy Trust
Ansford Academy Trust
Bath & North East Somerset Council
Bournemouth Poole & Christchurch Council
Nottingham University
Central RSA Academies Trust
City College, FE, Plymouth
Colyton Grammar School
Cornwall Education Learning Trust
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust
Diocese of Bristol Academy Trust
Diocese of Salisbury Multi Academy Trust
Durrington Multi Academy Trust
Exmouth Academy Trust
Falmouth Multi Academy Trust
Finham Park Multi Academy Trust
GLF Schools
Greengate Academy Trust
Hayes School
Heathercombe Brake Trust
Heathfield School
Horrington Primary School
Initio Learning Trust
Iron Mill College
Kings Langley School
Leading Edge Academies Partnership
Lighthouse Schools Partnership
Linwood School
Lion Academy Trust
North Somerset Council
Osprey Learning Trust
Preston Primary Academy Trust
Quantock Multi Academy Trust
Raedwald Trust
Ringwood School
Severn Foundation
South Devon College
South Gloucestershire Council
Steyning Grammar School
Swindon Borough Council
The Castle Partnership
The First Federation
The Inspire Multi Academy Trust
The Levels Academy Trust
The Sentient Trust
Trewirgie Junior School
Twynham Learning
Ventrus Limited
Warrington Primary Academy Trust
Wessex Learning Trust
Westcountry Schools Trust
Westfield School
Stone King LLP
Stone King LLP’s education sector group advises a diverse set of charity, state funded and independent schools on mandates that include transactions and mergers, Equality Act and disability discrimination claims, and Ofsted reports and complaints. Leading the independent schools team from Bath, Helen Tucker has extensive experience advising on safeguarding issues and tribunals alongside acquisitions and collaborative arrangements. In the same office, Michael Brotherton focuses on contentious issues and regularly acts for schools in Equality Act claims and obligations, often regarding politically sensitive topics involving gender, race, and religion. Ciara Campfield specialises in procurement advice and handles joint ventures for schools and higher education providers. Also key are Jean Boyle, who is co-lead of the firm’s national education offering with a personal focus on employment-related issues, and Joanne Burton, who heads up the national education property team.
Responsables de la pratique:
Helen Tucker
Autres avocats clés:
Michael Brotherton; Ciara Campfield; Joanne Burton; Jean Boyle
Principaux clients
Abbey Multi Academy Trust
Active Learning Trust
Ashlyns School
Beaconsfield High School
Bishop Heber High School
Bitham Brook Primary School
Challoner’s High School
Chester Diocesan Academy Trust
Confederation of Schools Trust
Cotswold Beacon Academy Trust
Diocese of Bristol Academies Trust
Diocese of Canterbury Academies Trust
Downside School
Dulwich Prep School
Ecole Jeannine Manuel
Felsted School
Futura Learning Partnership
Future Academies
Greenshaw Learning Trust
Guildford High School
Hanley and Upton Educational Trust
Immanuel College
King Edwards’s School Bath
Leigh Academies Trust
Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership
Monkton Combe School
Oasis Community Learning
Oastlers
PACE Academy Trust
Palladian Academy Trust
Peterborough Diocese Education Trust
Princethorpe Foundation
Prior Park College
Saint George Catholic College
Shiplake College
Sixth Form Colleges’ Association
St Columba’s College
The Boston Grammar School
The College of Richard Collyer
The Partnership Trust
United Church Schools Trust
United Westminster and Greycoat Foundation
West Suffolk College, part of Eastern Colleges Group
Wright Robinson College
VWV
VWV‘s full-service education group excels in advising universities, academies, and state and independent schools, utilising its wide range of experience to assist with strategic mergers, employment issues, and regulatory compliance, including an array of safeguarding issues and school complaints. Independent schools specialist Barney Northover and academies expert Chloe Brunton lead the team from Bristol, while Tabitha Cave leads the regulatory compliance and safeguarding work. Specialist education employment lawyer Simon Bevan has experience handling industrial relations and strike actions, together with discrimination and recruitment issues. Naseem Nabi is also noted for her experience in employment work, acquisitions and mergers in the education space, while Con Alexander is singled out for his charity expertise.
Responsables de la pratique:
Barney Northover; Chloe Brunton
Autres avocats clés:
Tabitha Cave; Con Alexander; Naseem Nabi; Kris Robbetts; Simon Bevan; Sian Champkin
Les références
‘A full-service law firm for schools with a wide breadth of experience.’
‘Chloe Brunton is a client-friendly lawyer who knows the academy sector inside out.’
‘The team are very down to earth and pragmatic. They clearly explain risks when there are options available. They have a wealth of experience we were able to benefit from.’
Principaux clients
Bath Spa University
Bournemouth University
New College Swindon
University of Bath
University of Bristol
University of South Wales
Cabot Learning Federation
The Priory Learning Trust
Excalibur Academies Trust
Cotham School
Truro Diocesan Board of Education
Trust in Learning (Academies)
Cathedral Schools Trust
Reach South Academy Trust
Diocese of Gloucester Academies Trust
Clifton College
Bristol Grammar School
Monmouth Schools
Rugby School
Cheltenham Ladies
Pangbourne College
Cranleigh School
Badminton School
Woldingham School
Principaux dossiers
- Advised on the merger of GGLT’s five schools into Excalibur Academies Trust.
- Advised Oxford Brookes University on a successful planning appeal to secure outline planning consent for 500 homes and supported the marketing of the Wheatley Campus sale.
- Acted for Clifton College on its merger with Tockington Manor School.
Burges Salmon LLP
With a client roster including leading universities such as the University of Oxford as well as the Department for Education, Burges Salmon LLP offers a broad set of support in the education sector with experience covering inadequate Ofsted ratings, joint ventures and mergers, and employment-related work. The Bristol-based team is led by Matthew Ramus, noted for his expertise in PPP, PFI and outsourcing mandates. Luke Bowery assists with employment and HR matters, including tribunal, discrimination and whistleblowing claims, and senior associate Huw Cooke has experience in employment and immigration cases. Procurement expert John Houlden supports on bid strategies, while Tim Roberts advises on transactions.
Responsables de la pratique:
Matthew Ramus
Autres avocats clés:
Luke Bowery; John Houlden; Tim Roberts; Huw Cooke
Les références
‘This practice stands out due to its fusion of expertise, innovative approach, and commitment to client satisfaction.’
‘The team is exceptional and provides expert thoughtful advice demonstrating a real understanding of the issues. I would not hesitate to recommend them to any organisation which needs practical, expert and clear advice in this area.’
‘Luke Bowery and Huw Cooke are both exceptional and provide insightful analysis and advice in this growing area where case law is constantly developing.’
Principaux clients
The Department for Education
University of Bristol
The Safeguarding Company Limited
Ascent
Trustees of the Cardiff University Pension Fund
QS
Birmingham City Council and Birmingham Children’s Trust Limited
Shareholders of Firebrand Training
Bud Systems
W H Ireland Ltd
Gemba
University of Exeter
York St John University
University of Oxford
University of the West of England
Bath Spa University
Cardiff University
OFSTED
Office for Students
Reading Borough Council
Principaux dossiers
- Advised central and local government on major Children’s Services restructuring programmes and “Alternative Delivery Models”.
- Advising the University of Bristol in connection with a new £300m campus development in Bristol city centre.
Harrison Clark Rickerbys
Based in Cheltenham, Harrison Clark Rickerbys fields ‘a great team of sector experts’, standing out for its strength advising clients across the independent education sector. Safeguarding matters make up one aspect of the practice, with strikes, complaints, transactions and investments being other areas of expertise. ‘Superb lawyer’ Kristine Scott leads the team, and employment specialist Rachel Parkin is praised for her ‘consistent, clear, and practical advice’ on school performance management issues, disciplinaries and tribunal cases. Oliver Daniels also specialises in employment work and has been recently active advising on teachers’ pension schemes and industrial actions. Emma Swann handles academy conversions and expansions in addition to governance matters. Also noted are senior associates Paul Watkins and James Morgan.
Responsables de la pratique:
Kristine Scott
Autres avocats clés:
Rachel Parkin; Oliver Daniels; Emma Swann; Morgan West; Paul Watkins; James Morgan
Les références
‘Friendly, personable, and willing to give time for all our legal queries – complex or simple.’
‘At the outset of the case for which we sought their help, Kristine Scott & Rachel Parkin of the Education Team made themselves available at short notice to discuss an emerging and significant challenge. They were excellent at setting perspective, offering reassurance, prioritising immediate action and following through.’
‘Rachel Parkin offered consistent, clear, and practical advice. She made herself available for regular reviews of progress and at points of decision. Her written responses to the other party’s legal team always reflected the nuance as well as the core of our agreed position and set out expectations for response with clarity and courtesy.’
Principaux clients
Global Schools Group
Sherborne School
Tonbridge School
The Independent Schools’ Bursars Association
Canford School
St Mary’s School Ascot
Holy Cross Preparatory
The Royal Masonic School for Girls
Cheltenham Ladies College
Uppingham School
St Dunstan’s College
Independent Schools’ Council
Cheltenham College
Wellingborough School
Stamford Endowed Schools
Stowe School
St Peter’s York
Principaux dossiers
- Provided advice and guidance to the ISBA on significant issues for the education sector.
PHP Law LLP
Advising on matters spanning corporate and governance restructuring issues, academy conversions, complaints and safeguarding issues, PHP Law LLP‘s education team is held in high regard by its clients for its ‘personal service and friendly team’, as well as its ‘wealth of knowledge and experience across the sector’. The team is jointly led by education sector expert Antony Power; Laura Partridge, known for her expertise in trust governance and re-brokerage of academies; and Leicester-based data protection and education lawyer John Walker, who joined the firm following PHP’s merger with John Walker Solicitors in April 2023. Barrister Russell Holland is also noted, as is property lawyer Jason Stanley and procurement and contract specialist Josie Medforth.
Responsables de la pratique:
Antony Power; Laura Partridge; John Walker
Autres avocats clés:
Russell Holland; Jason Stanley; Josie Medforth.
Les références
‘The team at PHP Law LLP have a sound knowledge of the education sector and have demonstrated this to us throughout our time using them. They have provided expert advice on complex matters.’
‘The team have an excellent understanding of the education sector and therefore understand the challenges of this sector. They are also readily available to support with challenging issues and we always feel that we can speak to an expert quickly when needed.’
‘Antony Power ensures that the practice is value-led and can provide strategic advice about the education sector. He maintains a strong oversight of performance of the practice to ensure it meets the needs of its clients.’
Principaux clients
Academies Enterprise Trust
Westcountry Schools Trust
Reach South
The Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust
Truro and Penwith Academy Trust
Grove Learning Partnership
Aspire Academy Trust
Embark Multi Academy Trust
Central Co-operative Learning Trust
Esteem Multi Academy Trust
Equals Academy Trust
Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust
The Academy for Character and Excellence
Link Academy Trust
St Christopher’s C of E MAT
Dorset Council
Reading Borough Council
Bristol City Council
Extoll Academy Trust
TEAM Multi Academy Trust
The First Federation Trust
Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust
Torquay Girls Grammar School
Transforming Futures Multi Academy Trust Limited
Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust
Acorn Multi Academy Trust
Riviera Education Trust
The Rise Partnership Trust
Great Learners Trust
WAVE Multi Academy Trust
Learning Academy Partnership (South West)
WAVE Multi Academy Trust
Uffculme Academy Trust
Ventrus MAT
Tarka Learning Partnership
Attenborough Learning Trust
Brooke Hill Academy Trust
Crofty Multi Academy Trust
Hallam Schools Partnership Academy Trust
LiFE Multi Academy Trust
Oak Multi academy Trust
Open Thinking Partnership
Rise Multi Academy Trust
Rutland Learning Trust
Success Academy Trust
The Catholic Diocese of Nottingham
The Spencer Academy Trust
Wigston Academies Trust
Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Academies Enterprise Trust in relation to a high-profile and complex procurement challenge.
- Advised Thomas Telford Trust in relation to its judicial review of Ofsted.
- Supporting the Academies for Character and Excellence in the rebrokerage of academies from Redstart Learning Partnership.