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Education lawyers
Strong schools, colleges and universities are essential not just for individuals, but to the wider economy and society. These crucial institutions need legal advisers with deep knowledge and experience, who speak their language and have the resources to assist with the most challenging of situations.
We have acted for schools, colleges and universities for many years. Our clients range from small independent schools with day-to-day legal needs, to major universities, sometimes operating globally and at the cutting edge of the law.
We understand not just the law and regulation that affects those in the education sector, but also the other requirements and expectations to which organisations are subject. These include public and regulatory attitudes to issues like safeguarding and freedom of speech, political and other developments that can present challenges, and associated reputational risks.
We know that those running schools, colleges and universities are under immense pressure given the importance of their work, the great regulatory burden and the potentially severe consequences for individuals and organisations when things go wrong. With the benefit of long experience, we can guide board members and senior staff through the legal web efficiently, pragmatically and without fuss, allowing them to focus on their own work and students.
Given our global presence, we are uniquely placed to advise schools, colleges and universities on their international projects, including setting up schools overseas and advising on international collaboration and funding. And as a full-service law firm, we can help with all your legal needs.
Areas of experience
Since advising the very first school that converted to an academy in 2003, we have worked with academy trusts, their sponsors and associated charities in helping them achieve their ambitions. Academy trusts are now a major part of the educational landscape in the UK, with many of the schools they operate being highly successful, innovative and significant institutions.
We have a leading UK independent schools practice, and long experience of working with some of the best-known institutions in the sector. With independent school governors and former teachers in our team, we speak schools’ language and understand the issues faced.
We look to establish long-term relationships with our schools clients, so we can really get to know you and provide advice that is tailored, efficient and pragmatic.
Universities, colleges and other further and higher education institutions are amongst the most innovative, exciting and important contributors to society. We are proud to advise some of the world’s leading further and higher education institutions, and we have a deep understanding of the way they work, and their legal needs.
As allegations of peer-on-peer abuse, bullying and harassment continue to loom large in the education sector, institutions are increasingly looking to authoritative, independent reviewers to scrutinise and advise on their arrangements. If faced with a review, we have specialists the key areas required and are ready and able to assist.
We act for many schools, colleges and universities in relation to international fundraising. We advise on tax-efficient cross border giving, including helping you scope out a plan for expanding your alumni fundraising tax-efficiently on a global basis.
We pioneered the US-UK dual-qualified charitable structure and are the only firm able to handle all aspects of that structure in-house.
We are uniquely well placed to advise those involved in education on their international projects. Our education practice is global, with major school, college, university and associated clients in Europe, the USA, Asia and elsewhere.
As a full-service law firm with offices across the globe, we can assist you with all your global legal needs, whether you are an international organization or based in one country and looking to expand. We also advise education providers, philanthropists and investors on establishing and operating international schools and further and higher education institutions.
Track record
$45million grant to international school
We advised the Singapore branch of an international bank and an international school in respect of the grant by the bank of secured banking facilities of S$45million to the school.
A group of individuals
We advised a group of individuals on their sale of a group of private companies which own and operate pre-school and nursery business in Hong Kong to a special purpose vehicle owned by a leading provider of education products and services in Hong Kong.
A private education group
We advised this education group in the acquisition of a private international school in Singapore.
A private equity fund
We advised on the acquisition of a popular preschool and English enrichment centre chain in Singapore.
An international school
On its application for alienation of state land for a long-term lease of 30 years to facilitate the building of its new campus.
An international school
We advised in their bid to lease school premises for three years by reviewing the preliminary agreement, lease agreement and rental terms.
An international school
We advised this school in the grant of additional banking facilities of up to S$92million for financing the construction and development of a new extension to its school campus.
An international school in Malaysia
We advised this school when it took up secured transferable loan facilities of US$10million for capex use from the Singapore branch of an Indian bank.
$45million grant to international school
We advised the Singapore branch of an international bank and an international school in respect of the grant by the bank of secured banking facilities of S$45million to the school.
A group of individuals
We advised a group of individuals on their sale of a group of private companies which own and operate pre-school and nursery business in Hong Kong to a special purpose vehicle owned by a leading provider of education products and services in Hong Kong.
A private education group
We advised this education group in the acquisition of a private international school in Singapore.
A private equity fund
We advised on the acquisition of a popular preschool and English enrichment centre chain in Singapore.
An international school
On its application for alienation of state land for a long-term lease of 30 years to facilitate the building of its new campus.
An international school
We advised in their bid to lease school premises for three years by reviewing the preliminary agreement, lease agreement and rental terms.
An international school
We advised this school in the grant of additional banking facilities of up to S$92million for financing the construction and development of a new extension to its school campus.
An international school in Malaysia
We advised this school when it took up secured transferable loan facilities of US$10million for capex use from the Singapore branch of an Indian bank.
Numerous sponsors of academy school projects in the UK
These projects involve the use of model form documents for development agreements, finance agreements and leases, which are tailored to reflect particular considerations in relation to the school or site in question.
Several non-UK higher education institutions
We advised on their operations in the UK, particularly on employment status issues and TUPE.
Two London universities
We advised on the framework documentation and forms of call off contract for the procurement of professional services for a range of capital projects to service their estates.
A British education institution
We advised our client on the establishment and structure of a new international school including advice on corporate matters and funding arrangements.
A global for-profit education group
We advised our client on on its acquisition of a leading UK university. This included establishing a new company to run the university and applying for that company to be registered with the Office for Students, awarded university title and degree awarding powers. We continue to advise the university itself on a number of matters following completion of the deal.
A group of preschools
We advised a group of preschools on their lease of new school premises from a landlord, the takeover of assets from the previous tenant at the premises and the novation of tenancy agreements.
A leading American University
We advised a leading American University to renew its sponsor licence in order to enable the continued sponsorship of study abroad programs in the UK.
A leading independent school in the UK
We assisted on its arrangements to establish international schools in Hong Kong and China.
Owner and operator of the prestigious educational institution
Acting for the owner and operator of the prestigious educational institution with campuses in Singapore, India, Japan, Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates, in the worldwide protection of their trade marks and in various trade mark enforcement proceedings in India.
A leading American University
We advised a leading American University to renew its sponsor licence in order to enable the continued sponsorship of study abroad programs in the UK.
Georgetown University
We advised Georgetown University on a range of issues relating to its two UK affiliates including immigration, data protection and structuring advice in relation to the Transnational Centre for Legal Studies.
University sponsor licence
Assisted a leading American university renew its sponsor licence in order to enable the continued sponsorship of study abroad programs in the UK.
Syracuse University
We advised Syracuse University (USA) on its London Program which involved the acquisition of premises for use for educational purposes; employment advice in relation to urgent dismissal for gross misconduct; governance arrangements, including appointment of an interim director and new trustees; conflicts of interest in connection with the Programme's relationship with the University; advice and assistance in relation to sub-licenses for occupation of premises by other educational organisations, including in relation to real estate matters and tax treatment of revenues. The work represents a mature study abroad programme operating in the UK and in Europe, raising a variety of operational issues.
BridgeU
Advising a leading Edtech provider in connection with its global SaaS agreements, Chinese trade mark protection program, and worldwide data protection compliance.
Recognition
Our team
Alana Petraske
Partner | New York
Alison Paines
Consultant | London
Amy Carter
Senior associate | London
Emma Flower
Senior associate | London
Hugh More
Partner | London
Jo Sanders
Partner | London
Paul Hewitt
Partner | London
Philip Reed
Partner | London
Insight
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Charities and non-profit
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Professional advisors
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