Shakespeare Martineau LLP is reputed for the depth of expertise in the education sector, advising university and college clients on estates matters, governance and regulatory matters, employment, compliance, and in disputes. Smita Jamdar, who shares her time between Birmingham and London, leads the department. She is an expert in governance, regulatory, as well as student facing and constitutional matters. The Birmingham-based team comprises David Browne and Tom Long, covering employment; Clive Read and Ruth Phillips advise on real estate and construction matters; Catherine Rustomji whose emphasis is on charity matters and litigators Andrew Adams, Ben Humphreys and Catherine Savage. Joanna Forbes assists with regulatory and constitutional matters, while Geraldine Swanton‘s practice covers student complaints, data protection and education-related compliance matters. Anieka Sheppard specialises in consumer protection advice relating to students. The recent additions to the team, Mark Taylor, Helen Dyke and Selina Hinchliffe extended the firm’s reach.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The levels of expertise in both Further and Higher Education are exceptional. The ability to think outside the box has been particularly impressive. The events and speakers offered in the sector are excellent.'
- 'Clive Read and Smita Jamdar are people who reflect great levels of integrity, flexibility and humility. Both are facilitative and supportive.'
- 'It is refreshing to find a law firm that contributes so positively to the Higher Education sector in addition to the work that they undertake for individual institutions. They are an active and important part of the Higher Education community.'
- 'Smita Jamdar understands completely the complexities of universities, what the structures are, what the different groups are within universities and how they tick. She tailors her presentations so that each audience understands how the legislation impacts them in their role. The interplay between this legislation and other legislation is complex but she delivers the presentation in a way that ensures the material is understandable and easily digestible.'
Key clients
- University College London
- University of the Arts London
- University of West London
- University of Greenwich
- London South Bank University
- University of East London
- Capital City College Group
- Courtauld Institute
- Brunel University
- SOAS
- University for the Creative Arts
- University College of Osteopathy
- University of Hertfordshire
- University of Cambridge
- University of South Wales
- University of Exeter
- UCLAN
- University of Sheffield
- Cardiff University
- Oxford Brookes University
- Liverpool John Moore University
- Leicester College
- Barnsley College
- Wiltshire College
- University of Leeds
- Abingdon and Witney College
- North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College
- Quality Assurance Agency
- West Dean College
- University of Derby
- Staffordshire University
- Aberystwyth University
- University of Lincoln
- Halesowen College
- University of Essex
- Solent University
Work highlights
- Advised the University of Essex in connection with an inquest into the death of a former student in its Halls of Residence. The tragic case concerned a student who had been withdrawn from the University but continued to remain in Halls of Residence without a legal right to do so. No adverse findings in respect of the University were reached.
- Provided a huge amount of training to institutions across the country in relation to free speech. Advised Universities UK and contributed to its briefing on preparing for the new legislation. Advised on dozens of complaints that discourse around the conflict in the Middle East has crossed the line from freedom of speech into anti-Semitism and/or Islamophobia or support for terrorism.
- Acted for a Russell Group university in respect of complex and multi-faceted litigation brought by an academic member of staff. The academic commenced litigation against the university in 2016 and has since brought claims of whistleblowing; victimisation; harassment; and unfair dismissal.
Lawyers
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Smita Jamdar