Siân Jones-Davies
Mills & Reeve LLPMills & 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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘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.'
‘The team are very knowledgeable with wide-ranging expertise and are very helpful in locating the right specialist and pulling in colleagues where appropriate.’
‘The practice has the skills, knowledge and expertise within the education sector and within the building and construction discipline. The team understands our aims and objectives and also understands the dynamic and the structure of our governance.’
‘The individuals who I work with are unique in terms of their skills, knowledge and expertise to help us with our building contracts, title deeds and other types of agreements. The team members who we work with are highly professional individuals and always deliver what is expected of them and in a timely manner to high quality and standards.’
Key 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
Work highlights
- 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.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Richard Sykes, Sara Barrett