The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ team at Browne Jacobson LLP is capable of advising a variety of clients, ranging from independent schools to local authorities, on legal and HR issues; the practice is led by Nick MacKenzie, who has significant experience of providing governance and strategic board advice, among other areas and key contact Richard Freeth leads the pastoral/advisory practice, addressing issues such as admissions and exclusions, to name a few. Lydia Michaelson-Yeates specialises in governance matters, and routinely handles projects, mergers and restructures, as well as general commercial issues. ‘Standout’ associate Philip Wood further bolsters the practice, with considerable experience of advising schools on discrimination and issues related to the Equality Act, while Hayley O’Sullivan has particular expertise in exclusions, parental complaint investigations and equality issues.
Education in West Midlands
Browne Jacobson LLP
Practice head(s):
Nick MacKenzie
Other key lawyers:
Richard Freeth; Lydia Michaelson-Yeates; Philip Wood; Hayley O’Sullivan
Testimonials
‘All team members are super approachable and extremely knowledgeable.’
‘All individuals I have had contact with have been superb.’
‘A standout individual is Philip Wood – nothing is too much trouble, he is easily contactable, very knowledgeable, he understands schools and the quirks of education so is not phased by anything. He has a great sense of humour and is super reassuring.’
‘The Browne Jacobson education team is exceptional.’
‘Every single colleague with whom we work in both the legal and HR teams provide an outstanding level of service.’
‘We have developed a friendly but professional relationship with the members of this firm. We can rely on them to give us fair advice and know that they are working for us.’
‘I have dealt with Richard Freeth. I find him very approachable and ready to give advice. His advice is always clear and understandable.’
The responses Richard Freeth makes on our behalf are always exactly what is required to assist us in avoiding any escalation.’
Key clients
Arthur Terry Learning Partnership
Bath and North East Somerset Council
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Brooke Weston Trust
Chiltern Learning Trust
Elliot Foundation Academies Trust
Falcon Education Academies Trust
GLF Schools
King’s College London
Lion Academy Trust
Meridian Trust
Mercian Trust
Outwood Grange Academies Trust
Shaw Education Trust
University of Hertfordshire
Work highlights
Mills & Reeve LLP
Recommended for providing ‘pragmatic advice’ to UK universities, Mills & Reeve LLP‘s capabilities extend to a broad range of matters, ranging from sexual misconduct allegations to managing students’ mental health to counterterrorism. Nick Abbott co-heads the practice and his strengths include industrial action, mergers and discrimination claims, to name a few, while Richard Sykes, who jointly leads the team, advises clients on issues such as disputes, liability, and freedom of information, as well as offering particular expertise regarding discrimination issues. Christian Bull specialises in real estate education matters, and associates Siân Jackson and Abisola Latunji-Cockbil further strengthen the practice with expertise in employment law.
Practice head(s):
Nick Abbott; Richard Sykes
Other key lawyers:
Christian Bull; Siân Jackson; Abisola Latunji-Cockbil
Testimonials
‘The team work well together, they provide adequate cover for periods of leave and are up to speed on matters where cover is being provided. This gives good continuity for matters.’
‘The individuals we work with have a good understanding of our business and how we work as an in-house legal team and the challenges we face in receiving instructions internally and how this has a knock-on effect. All the individuals we work with seem to take this in their stride.’
‘They offer pragmatic advice that is easy to understand and respond to.’
‘They offer care in understanding the complexities and subtleties of our organisation, and the complex sector within which it operates, which is of real value to us. Not all firms manage to do this well.’
‘Nick Abbott is responsive, pragmatic, and genuinely cares about what we do.’
Christian Bull is great to work with, positive, proactive, and strikes the right balance in negotiations through a deep understanding of our organisation and its objectives.’
Key clients
Academies Enterprise Trust
Anglia Ruskin University Higher Education Corporation
Arden University Limited
Birmingham City University
Bolton College
Bournemouth University
British Council
Buckingham New University
Cardiff University
Christ Church, Oxford University
Christ’s Hospital
Coventry University
Cranfield University
Dragon School Trust Limited
Exeter College Oxford
Francis Crick Institute Ltd
Harrow School
King’s College London
Linacre College Oxford
London Business School
LTE Group
Manchester Metropolitan University
Merton College Oxford
Nottingham Trent University
Oxford Brookes University
Oxford University Endowment Management
Peterhouse College, Cambridge
Royal Veterinary College
Sheffield Hallam University
Solent University
St Dunstan’s Educational Foundation
St Edmund Hall Oxford
St John’s College, Oxford
St John’s College
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
The United Westminster and Grey Coat Foundation
The University of Birmingham
The University of Northampton
The University of Nottingham
TOF Corporate Trustee Limited as Trustee of The Oxford Funds
Trinity College, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
University of Bath
University of Bedfordshire
University of Derby
University of East Anglia
University of Exeter
University of Gloucestershire
University of Hertfordshire
University of Kent
University of Lancaster
University of Liverpool
University of London
University of Manchester
University of Oxford
University of Salford
University of Southampton
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of Worcester
University of York
Wellcome Sanger Institute
West Thames College
University of York
Work highlights
- Advising the University of Salford on the appointment of its private sector development partner to implement its £850m master plan which has the potential to provide 1.1m square feet of educational floor space, 2,500 new homes, almost two million square feet of public realm, green landscaped routes and cycle track and 1.6m square feet of commercial space.
- Advised University of Derby on a £30m sustainability-linked revolving credit facility with Santander and subsequently advised the university on a £70m private placement of debt securities, again sustainability linked. The proceeds will be used to fund the construction of a major new building on the university campus.
- Advised Birmingham City University on becoming the anchor tenant for the Alexander Stadium’s redevelopment. The university will occupy parts of the stadium under a lease and will run a number of its specialist sports and health sciences degrees from the Stadium. The university also plans to construct new purpose-built student accommodation at the Stadium.
Pinsent Masons LLP
Providing an ‘exceptional, client-focused service’, Pinsent Masons LLP handles matters such as navigating regulatory frameworks, often for clients in the higher education space, with experience of advising investors on acquisitions and disposals of education assets. The ‘excellent and proactive’ Gayle Ditchburn spearheads the practice, with notable expertise regarding commercial, regulatory and governance issues in the higher education space. Adding value to the team is Helen Corden, who offers employment law experience, with the ability to advise on regulatory changes, employment disputes and discrimination cases, among others. Chris Thomas specialises in charity-related issues, whilst, legal director Rebecca Stephen has experience of tribunal claims involving issues such as disability discrimination and whistleblowing. Senior associate Rami Labib is another key practitioner.
Practice head(s):
Gayle Ditchburn
Other key lawyers:
Helen Corden; Chris Thomas; Rebecca Stephen; Rami Labib
Testimonials
‘Exceptional, client-focused service. The team has provided timely, sound and complex advice which is firmly based in their first-hand educational knowledge and experience.’
‘The individuals we had contact with were highly dedicated and committed to providing us with the best level of service, often going above and beyond what we might have expected in terms of accessibility and availability.’
‘Great sector knowledge and expertise.’
Key clients
University of Birmingham
Northern Gritstone
University of the Arts, London
University of Derby and Others IoT
The College of Health Limited
Aston University
The Arts Educational Schools
The Open College of the Arts
University of Sussex
King’s College London
Work highlights
- Advising on the establishment of Northern Gritstone Limited, a spin-out investment vehicle founded by the Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield.
- Acting for University of Birmingham in connection with a High Court IP licensing claim.
- Advising on the establishment of the East Midlands Institute of Technology.
Shakespeare Martineau LLP
Shakespeare Martineau LLP offers clients an ‘outstanding service’ and routinely advises clients on estates, governance and regulatory matters, alongside disputes and statutory compliance work. Its client base includes both Russell Group universities as well as smaller specialist institutions. ‘Absolute superstar’ practice head Smita Jamdar specialises in governance, student-related and constitutional matters, while David Browne‘s capabilities range from restructuring matters to addressing allegations of sexual misconduct and whistleblowing issues. As a ‘fountain of knowledge and experience’, Geraldine Swanton adds further value to the team with expertise in data protection and freedom of information issues.
Practice head(s):
Smita Jamdar
Other key lawyers:
David Browne; Andrew Adams; Tom Long; Geraldine Swanton; Uddalak Datta; Mark Taylor
Testimonials
‘They are very knowledgeable and explain the law and implications clearly, taking onboard the legal knowledge of the individual they’re advising. The advice is given in clear language, and they provide a holistic approach to dealing with cases and options and risks when considering remedies.’
‘The team have continued to provide an outstanding service to the sector, in particular their understanding of some of the key legal and regulatory matters that have been of direct impact on universities over the past year has been enormously helpful, and the advice always delivered in a highly engaging way.’
‘In particular, Smita Jamdar is an absolute superstar! She is a strong, respected and influential voice in the sector, providing interesting and insightful analysis across a wide range of subjects and is very engaged in speaking at events across the sector to share her insights.’
‘Geraldine Swanton is a fountain of knowledge and experience in her field. She is responsive, approachable and pragmatic. She can always be trusted to provide advice that is useful and understandable, especially when supporting non-lawyers.’
‘The education team provide outstanding service and are trusted advisers. In addition to their legal expertise, they have a real-world view and are highly responsive. They understand both the sector and how to work in partnership with the client.’
‘Excellent proactive team who provide regular updates via advice notes and podcasts. Clear and pragmatic advice delivered speedily and with ease of communication.’
‘Geraldine Swanton is swift to respond and understands the sector well, handling tricky questions in a clear and direct way that empowers people to make informed decisions. A very human approach to matters and great empathy makes her stand out.’
‘They not only remain abreast of the regulatory and political landscape, which seems to change on a weekly basis, but they are also prepared to challenge both the regulators and the government on these changes.’
Key clients
University of Hertfordshire
Brunel University
University of Cambridge
University of South Wales
University of Exeter
UCLAN
University of Sheffield
University College London
Cardiff University
University of Greenwich
Oxford Brookes University
Liverpool John Moore University
Leicester College
Barnsley College
Wiltshire College
Dudley College
Abingdon and Witney College
North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College
Quality Assurance Agency
West Dean College
University of the Arts London
University of Derby
Staffordshire University
Aberystwyth University
University of West London
University of Lincoln
Capital City College Group
Halesowen College
Work highlights
- Advising six universities being investigated by the Office for Students for alleged breaches of various registration conditions, including defending the allegations and challenging the OfS’s untested procedure.
- Acting for Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust in defending a claim by a current student who alleges discrimination, harassment and victimisation arising out of content on the Trust’s Psychotherapy teaching and clinical training course.
- Advised a Russell Group University on major IT procurement projects worth approximately £100m to re-shape and modernise its legacy IT systems and strategy in order to create a more agile and resilient IT framework, enhancing teaching, learning and research and improving the student experience.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP‘s ‘personalised and individualised service’ includes a range of expertise, such as student matters, privacy law and governance issues. Gary Delderfield strengthens the practice with his capabilities in public sector pension issues, whilst associate Thomas Pollitt advises clients on a range of issues, from M&A, to regulatory and constitutional matters, with particular strength in higher education. Former practice head Mark Taylor left the firm in September 2023.
Other key lawyers:
Gary Delderfield; Thomas Pollitt
Testimonials
‘The team started by agreeing to my objectives and understanding what was I trying to achieve. Once established, various options were discussed – I found the skills, knowledge and experience of the whole team reassuring, supportive and outcome driven.’
‘As individuals, they provided a personalised and individualised service, being fully aware of my situation at all times.’
‘Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP are one of only a few practices with the breadth of knowledge, skills and experiences to be able to provide a “complete” service in the post-16 education sector.’
‘The Eversheds Sutherland Education team offers a full range of expertise with sector knowledge that is second to none. This breadth of coverage means that whatever a college board or management is facing – there is an individual to help.’
‘Excellent team members, who bring specific skills and knowledge.’
Key clients
University of Wolverhampton
Sandwell College
Solihull College and University Centre
University of Reading
The Greater London Authority
Medical Research Council
Vanta Education (owner of BPP)
Sheffield University
Trafford College Group
LEAD Multi Academy Trust
Nova Academy Trust
University of York
Work highlights
- Advised universities colleges, and private providers across the education sector on apprenticeships and subcontracting to the value of many hundreds of millions of pounds.
- Advised on half of the first wave of the Institutes of Technology, and now the team is advising on the majority of the Wave 2 Institutes.
- Advising a range of colleges on the implications of the ONS reclassification of Colleges into the public sector.
Shoosmiths LLP
With a central focus on special educational needs and disability work, Shoosmiths LLP‘s ‘extremely competent, responsive and hard-working team’ is capable of advising on the entire process, including legal challenges, relating to tribunal appeals in these areas, covering a broad range of special needs, such as autism and cerebral palsy. Its client base includes parents and young people and the solicitors representing them, as well as Court of Protection deputies that manage the funds and affairs of young people. Kashmir Uppal leads the team alongside ‘trusted advisor’ Gurvinder Samra, who is ‘tenacious’ and ‘passionate’ in handling the Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan process, with particular expertise around the legal enforceability of the content of EHC plans and in securing council funding.
Practice head(s):
Gurvinder Samra; Kashmir Uppal
Testimonials
‘I found Gurvinder Samra passionate and extremely knowledgeable around special educational needs and disability (SEND). After years of wrangling with my local authority, causing a lot of anxiety and stress, I felt confident enough to hand it all over to her to handle, and I felt as if I was in very capable hands.’
‘Invaluable for parents who are going through an emotional time. Expertise and clear, decisive advice make such a difference, and Shoosmiths definitely excelled in these areas.’
‘Gurvinder Samra’s knowledge, expertise and kindness really helped us develop a strategy that eventually secured an EHC plan that included appropriate provisions for our daughter. She always had time for us, and her understanding of some of the more complex areas of special educational needs (SEN) law was second to none.’
‘The team are very practical, pragmatic and logical in an area that is often fraught with emotions. Their ability to keep things stable and steady as you navigate the process is a key strength, as it allows for clarity and focus when that is often difficult to achieve without them.’
‘Gurvinder Samra is excellent. She demystifies the truly astonishing bureaucracy inherent in this area and provides a sense of realistic reassurance throughout the process. She becomes a trusted advisor in a very short space of time.’
‘Gurvinder Samra is very knowledgeable and makes the families feel that they have someone in whom they can trust to fight their corner. She acts in a timely manner and leaves no stone unturned.’
‘An extremely competent, responsive and hardworking team. Through a combination of knowledge, experience, commitment and skill, they get excellent results for clients.’
‘Gurvinder Samra is one of the leading SEN lawyers in the country. She is rightfully one of the most sought after solicitors for parents in relation to SEN issues. She is knowledgeable, tenacious and clear in her advice.’
Work highlights
- Challenging a council’s proposal to cease to maintain an EHCP and placement in relation to post-19 transition for a student, who had been diagnosed with an acquired brain injury, autism and epilepsy.
- Conducted and advised on First-Tier SEND appeal proceedings for a young person with a complex profile of neurodevelopmental disorders, who has diagnoses of ADHD (predominantly inattentive), social anxiety, ASD, learning difficulties, mild cerebral palsy, significant receptive and expressive language difficulties, social interaction and motor planning difficulties.
- Advised parents as to the process for attempting to secure a home education package, and, the evidence that they will require. Parents applied this advice during a mediation meeting, and as a result, reached agreement with the council for the home education package to be considered without the need for an appeal.
VWV
A team with a ‘broad range of experience’, VWV‘s education practice covers a diverse range of fields, from corporate and IP issues in education, to advising schools and universities on governance and regulatory matters. ‘Really knowledgeable’ practice head Jane Byford has vast experience of handling matters for universities and colleges, with a notable specialism in employment litigation. Kathy Halliday routinely advises both independent schools and academy trusts, among others, while Sarah Webb addresses IP issues within the education sector. Jaime Hobday further strengthens the practice with particular expertise in charity governance. Morag Roddick joined the practice from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in September 2022.
Practice head(s):
Jane Byford
Other key lawyers:
Kathy Halliday; Sarah Webb; Jamie Hobday; Tom Brett Young; Morag Roddick
Testimonials
‘Broad range of expertise within the team.’
‘Able to source the right individual for the job at hand.’
‘Jane Byford is excellent, really knowledgeable and accessible.’
‘Really strong Education focus.’
‘A rapid response is usually received from the team, and they keep on top of billing.’
Key clients
Alvechurch Church of England Multi Academy Trust
Bangor University
Bath Spa University
Blue Coat School Birmingham
Cheltenham Ladies College
Coventry University
De Montfort University
Dean Close Foundation
Dudley Academies Trust
E-ACT
Edgbaston High School for Girls
Evolve Trust
Francis Crick Institute
King’s College London
Hallfield School
Loughborough Schools Foundation
National Star College
New College Swindon
Norland College
Nottingham Trent University
Ormiston Academies Trust
Prosper Together Multi Academy Trust
Queen Alexandra College
Royal Academy of Music
Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust
Search Education Trust
Solihull School
South & City College Birmingham
The Loriners Multi Academy Trust
University of Bath
University of Brighton
University of Bristol
University of Derby
University of South Wales
University of Worcester
Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
Wednesbury Oak Academy
Windsor Academy Trust
Work highlights
- Appointed by four schools which were joining together to convert to academy status to form Prosper Together Multi Academy Trust, a ‘MAT’ established to serve its local community.
- Providing procurement, state aid (now subsidy control) and commercial support to the University of Bristol in connection with the MyWorld programme.
- Advised and represented a university in its defence of a set of six employment tribunal claims comprising complaints of unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, race discrimination, victimisation, equal pay and unlawful deduction from wages brought by an academic. Successful in having most of the claim struck out.
Bevan Brittan LLP
The ‘commercially astute’ Bevan Brittan LLP education department has particular expertise in advising higher education clients on issues of a corporate and employment nature, as well as a range of others. Ashley Norman helms the practice, with specialisms in advising on employment, immigration and discrimination issues for higher and further education clients. Key contact Rachel Soundy, who has ‘excellent legal skills’, has considerable experience in handling higher education M&A work, whilst Rebecca Pendlebury is particularly familiar with mixed use regeneration schemes and other issues.
Practice head(s):
Ashley Norman
Other key lawyers:
Rachel Soundy; Rebecca Pendlebury; Elizabeth Dunford
Testimonials
‘Highly committed and excellent service level.’
‘Commercially astute.’
‘It was a pleasure working with Rachel Soundy who demonstrated excellent legal skills and knowledge; practical legal advice; continuously updating the team with the status of the matter; and overall excellent client care management.’
Key clients
University of Oxford
Ambition Institute
De Montfort University
Birmingham City University
The University of West London
Cardiff and Vale College
University of York
Swansea University
Cogrammar
Work highlights
- Acting for Swansea University on its commercial contracts with Ospreys Rugby.
- Acting for Birmingham City University on various employee relations’ matters.
- Acting for Cogrammar in relation to its collaborations with several UK Universities.
Lanyon Bowdler
Lanyon Bowdler‘s ‘professional, reliable and timely’ education team provides advice on various issues to academy trusts and independent schools, with a recent emphasis on academy conversion and transfer projects. ‘Diligent’ practice head William Morse routinely handles academy conversion matters, as well as advising on others, such as collective bargaining and discrimination tribunal matters.
Practice head(s):
William Morse
Testimonials
‘The team are professional, reliable and timely in their responses to questions.’
‘William Morse has been at the end of the phone for many quick questions. He has also anticipated the upcoming issues and has been diligent in making sure we follow the correct policies and procedures. He has been very clear in his advice and supportive in guiding us through the process.’
Key clients
St Paul’s Academy Trust
Lugwardine Academy Trust
The 3-18 Academy Trust
The Diocese Hereford Academy Trust
Work highlights
- Advised a Multi Academy Trust in relation to the transfer in of another Multi Academy Trust.
- Advised an Academy Trust in relation to the academy conversion and joining of a community schools.