We have acted for a wide range of clients within the education sector for many years including both state and independent nurseries, schools, colleges, universities, and local authorities.

 

Our education team is headed by a Consultant with a wide range of experience and invaluable knowledge of the sector, and broad experience in education matters gained in the sector having previously been Southampton City Council's in-house Education Solicitor, and a lecturer at Southampton Institute.

 

We are aware that there are many challenges facing those who run educational establishments and we are able to offer advice and support in the following areas:

  • charity matters
  • formation
  • mergers
  • taxation
  • corporate governance and constitutional issues affecting the running of the educational establishment.

We are able to provided specialist education advice in the  areas of:-

  • ­Pupil/student discipline and exclusion
  • Prosecutions
  • Special Educational Needs
  • Parental disputes/complaints
  • Banning individuals from school premises
  • Disclosure including Public Interest Immunity
  • Child Protection Issues
  • Discrimination
  • Projects and Trusts

Our experience with acting for educational establishments means we have an understanding of the needs of and challenges facing clients in that sector when dealing with such matters as

  • Property

  • Planning (law and consultancy)

We have particular expertise in property matters given the need for our clients to manage their property needs from time to time, including expansions, redevelopments of existing sites; relocation and construction of brand new premises; letting of existing property; premises sharing arrangements; and disposals of surplus land, particular for redevelopment.  We are also able to provide specialist construction (both contentious and non-contentious) and planning advice.  Our team includes lawyers with local government backgrounds and a specialist in house planning consultancy service meaning we can provide both strategic and practical as well as legal advice. We also understand that Educational Establishments often have a need for advice and support in the following areas:-

  • Employment
  • Finance/fundraising
  • Joint ventures
  • Dispute resolution (including alternative dispute resolution and mediation)
  • Debt collection

We understand the increasing need of educational establishments to be run as businesses and we have lawyers who can advise in these areas:-

  • Commercial agreements
  • Intellectual property
  • Licensing

A number of partners and staff are governors of local schools and colleges and we have first hand experience of issues within the sector.  In particular one of the partners acts as a clerk to the pupil discipline committees for schools in Southampton.