Tim Care
Ward Hadaway LLP
Ward Hadaway LLP
Client SatisfactionWard Hadaway LLP’s education practice stands out for its strong track record advising multi-academy trusts on advisory matters as well as academy conversions. With expertise spanning employment, charities, data protection, and general education law, the team leverages the firm’s broader capabilities to assist clients across the full spectrum of relevant issues. Graham Vials oversees the practice; hailed for his ‘great technical knowledge’, Vials has a broad practice with notable emphasis on employment matters, including tribunal claims. He works alongside Tim Care, who specialises in procurement work in the public sector, and Tom Shears, who is another key contact for employment issues. For property-related instructions, Katy Milner and Neil Smith are the names to note.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Graham Vials and Tom Shears. They make the service they provide very personal. Making you feel that they are on your side. The speed that they can interpret advice, and provide it in simple, non-legal English, is very skilful. Both are prepared to make themselves available to meet our demands.’
‘Fantastic knowledge of Multi-Academy Trusts. The team are always on hand when you need support and guidance.’
‘Graham Vials - Graham is friendly, understands our Trust. Guidance is bespoke to our needs. The team understand the intricacies, and sometimes complications, of conditions of employment for teachers, support staff and casual staff.’
‘Experienced and well known within the region on academy conversions.’
‘Graham Vials, always goes beyond what is required to support our school's community. Very level-headed advice that is clear and enables school staff to make quality decisions with confidence.’
‘The excellent support and realistic guidance that is provided by Ward Hadaway has been essential to us in recent times, supporting us to deal with some complex situations to successful resolutions. The knowledge of the team and their approachableness is excellent.’
‘Excellent strength and depth in expertise.’
‘Graham Vials has great technical knowledge and is well-liked by clients. Tom Shears is a personable, sharp minded, commercially astute lawyer.’
Key clients
- East Durham College
- Tyne Coast College
- Northern Education Trust
- Delta Academies Trust
- Advance Learning Partnership
- Gosforth Federated Academies Limited
- City of Sunderland College (part of Education Partnership North East)
- Schools North East
- New College Durham Academy Trust
- Newcastle University
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Graham Vials