Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is instructed by universities and Oxbridge colleges to handle ‘complex and cutting-edge cases’ involving contentious employment and student disciplinary matters as well as handling a wide spectrum of governance and commercial matters in relation to data privacy, partnerships and contracts, and real estate. The team boasts notable expertise in issues related to safeguarding, student and staff misconduct, and industrial relations. Employment specialists Daff Richardson, who is based in Oxford, and Hilary Aldred, who practices from Cambridge, are regularly entrusted to act in complex mandates surrounding discrimination, freedom of speech, and no platforming. Oxford-based governance and student relations expert Sam Rose is also highly recommended. In London, immigration specialist Pat Saini and commercial expert Anna Frankum are further key contacts.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Penningtons Manches Cooper has a very strong education legal teams. They advise on and fight complex and cutting-edge cases and have unparalleled experience in this field. There is quality in their most junior associates right up to their leading partners.’
‘Hilary Aldred is one of the leading lights in education law nationally. She knows everything there is to know and has a wealth of experience to draw on.
- Sophie Whitbread is a terrific and hardworking lawyer with excellent judgment and negotiation skills.’
‘In depth knowledge and expertise in dealing with educational institutions and knowledge around policymaking is a big strength of the organisation.’
‘The team offer pragmatic advice, taking into account risk versus reward. They get to know your business and what works for you.’
‘Highly responsive, deeply knowledgeable, commercial and client-need focussed.’
‘Very high recommendation for Sam Rose. She's very well-informed on Education Issues in HEIs, highly practical, and a pleasure to deal with.’
Key clients
- American Institute for Foreign Study
- Chartered Association of Business Schools
- Christ Church, Oxford
- Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
- Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
- Florida State University
- Green Templeton College, Oxford
- ICMP Management Limited
- Jesus College, Oxford
- Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
- Pembroke College, Oxford
- S P Jain School of Management
- St Mary’s University, Twickenham
- The Institute of Leadership and Management
- Unifrog Education Ltd
Work highlights
- Advised Christ Church, Oxford on day-to-day employment matters in respect of academic and non-academic staff.
- Advised Florida State University on all aspects of their property holding including advice on banking arrangements where the parent companies are overseas.
- Advised the American Institute for Foreign Study's US and UK offices on UK GDPR compliance as well as UK real estate matters.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Hilary Aldred, Daff Richardson