England - West Midlands • Public sector
VWV
A team with a ‘broad range of experience’, VWV’s education practice covers a diverse range of fields, from corporate and IP issues in education, to advising schools and universities on governance and regulatory matters. ‘Really knowledgeable’ practice head Jane Byford has vast experience of handling matters for universities and colleges, with a notable specialism in employment litigation. Kathy Halliday routinely advises both independent schools and academy trusts, among others, while Sarah Webb addresses IP issues within the education sector. Jaime Hobday further strengthens the practice with particular expertise in charity governance. Morag Roddick joined the practice from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP in September 2022.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Broad range of expertise within the team.’
‘Able to source the right individual for the job at hand.’
‘Jane Byford is excellent, really knowledgeable and accessible.’
'Really strong Education focus.'
'A rapid response is usually received from the team, and they keep on top of billing.'
Key clients
- Alvechurch Church of England Multi Academy Trust
- Bangor University
- Bath Spa University
- Blue Coat School Birmingham
- Cheltenham Ladies College
- Coventry University
- De Montfort University
- Dean Close Foundation
- Dudley Academies Trust
- E-ACT
- Edgbaston High School for Girls
- Evolve Trust
- Francis Crick Institute
- King's College London
- Hallfield School
- Loughborough Schools Foundation
- National Star College
- New College Swindon
- Norland College
- Nottingham Trent University
- Ormiston Academies Trust
- Prosper Together Multi Academy Trust
- Queen Alexandra College
- Royal Academy of Music
- Royal Wootton Bassett Academy Trust
- Search Education Trust
- Solihull School
- South & City College Birmingham
- The Loriners Multi Academy Trust
- University of Bath
- University of Brighton
- University of Bristol
- University of Derby
- University of South Wales
- University of Worcester
- Warwick Independent Schools Foundation
- Wednesbury Oak Academy
- Windsor Academy Trust
Work highlights
- Appointed by four schools which were joining together to convert to academy status to form Prosper Together Multi Academy Trust, a 'MAT' established to serve its local community.
- Providing procurement, state aid (now subsidy control) and commercial support to the University of Bristol in connection with the MyWorld programme.
- Advised and represented a university in its defence of a set of six employment tribunal claims comprising complaints of unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, race discrimination, victimisation, equal pay and unlawful deduction from wages brought by an academic. Successful in having most of the claim struck out.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jane Byford