Mills & Reeve LLP’s ‘adaptive’ Birmingham practice covers the gamut of education support, including governance, GDPR, mergers, collaborations, real estate and equality advice. The firm also assists clients with financial resilience strategies. Its clients include universities, school trusts, government departments and research institutions. ’A technical wonder with superb judgement' Richard Sykes co-leads the practice, advising on litigation, compliance, equality and GDPR matters. Fellow co-lead Christian Bull adds strength to the firm’s property expertise in the education sector. Siân Jackson supports major universities in their employment law matters. Nick Abbott retired in December 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Pragmatic approach to finding a solution.’
‘Fingertip knowledge of matters that they are dealing with.’
‘Extremely responsive, very supportive and technically strong. The advice is always clear, commercial and pragmatic.’
'Richard Sykes is an absolute font of all knowledge and a technical wonder with superb judgment.’
‘The education team at Mills and Reeve is excellent.'
'They are adaptive in how they approach issues, and pragmatic in how they frame their particular advice on matters.’
‘Siân Jackson is extremely knowledgeable about the sector. Her advice is pragmatic, and grounded in what will actually work.'
‘Siân Jackson is a trusted adviser on contentious and non contentious matters, as well as an excellent trainer too.'

Key clients

Academies Enterprise Trust
ACT Multi- Academy Trust
Anglia Ruskin University Higher Education Corporation
Arden University Limited
Barking & Dagenham College
Birmingham City University
Bolton College
Bournemouth University
British Council
Buckinghamshire New University
Cardiff University
Christ Church, Oxford University
Christ’s Hospital
Coventry College
Coventry University
Cranfield University
Dragon School Trust Limited
Exeter College Oxford
Francis Crick Institute Ltd
Harrow School

Work highlights

Advising Cardiff University on the complete re-development of its outdoor sports facilities to create a centre of sporting excellence for the city.
Advising Sheffield Hallam University on all legal aspects of its new London campus.
Advising a university client that is an admitted body in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) on its exit from the LGPS to benefit from the current surplus funding position it has.