Sectors
Education

Education

Fieldfisher's education specialists understand the complexities and nuances at all levels of the UK's state and independent education sectors. We provide advice that is sensitive to the competing interests and pressures affecting educational institutions and their regulators, while upholding and protecting the reputations of our clients.

Why choose our Education lawyers?

We have significant experience in advising a range of education institutions, including nurseries, prep schools, academies, independent schools, further education colleges and universities. We also act for regulators and government departments.

Our lawyers are trusted to assist the people who run, govern and advise these institutions and bodies, on matters such as pensions, employment, IP, franchising and international expansion, insurance, technology, disputes, restructuring and insolvency and commercial spin-outs.

The UK and international education sectors are evolving rapidly and are subject to increasing regulation and public scrutiny, making the need for expert advice all the more critical. Educational bodies are required to deal with regulatory and policy reforms, funding restrictions, governance issues, HR and industrial relations issues and a fast-paced digital environment.

Fieldfisher's team understands the sensitivity and complexity of these issues and helps guide clients to successful outcomes.

Notable deals and highlights

Advising a number of universities

Advising a number of Russell Group universities on all aspects of UK, US and EU export controls and sanctions. Advising universities on various real estate matters including development of new premises and student accommodation facilities. Assisting a leading university publisher on sanctions-related issues.

Advising independent schools

Advising a leading UK independent girls school on its expansion into China. Working with independent schools, their advisers and boards of governors on financial restructuring and insolvency procedures.

Carrying out whistle-blowing investigations

Carrying out whistle-blowing investigations for a range of higher education providers.

Advising on pension and employment-related issues

Advising on various pensions and employment-related issues.

Assisting families seek support for special educational needs

Our Just Purpose team also assists families and children to challenge unfair school exclusions and seek support for special educational needs.

Key contacts

David Bond

Partner, Co-head of Franchising and Commercial and Head of Advertising
London, England +44 (0)330 460 6316 Email David

Commercial
Sarah Ellson

Partner, Co-Head of Regulatory
Manchester, England +44 330 460 7019 Email Sarah

Healthcare

Investigations

Life Sciences & Healthcare

Professional Discipline
Carly Schiff

Partner, Restructuring and Insolvency
London, England +44 330 460 6596 Email Carly

Education

Financial Services

Life Sciences & Healthcare

Retail and Consumer
Jeremy Harris

Partner, Pensions
+44 (0)330 460 6716 Email Jeremy

Pensions
Gordon Drakes

Partner, Co-head of Franchising and Commercial
London, England +44 7872 398795 Email Gordon

Distribution and Agency

Energy

Food and Beverage

Franchise Transactions
Neil Matthews

Partner, Head of Corporate
London, England +44 330 460 6419 Email Neil

Corporate Finance

Investment Banking

Life Sciences & Healthcare
Andrew Hood

Partner, Regulatory and Trade
London, England +44 330 460 6968 Email Andrew

International Trade

Manufacturing and Supply Chain

Public Policy

Sanctions and Export Control
Rafał Stroiński

Co-managing Partner - Poland
Warsaw, Poland +48 224628801 Email Rafał

Corporate

Defence Lawyers

Financial Markets and Products

Technology
Ranjit Dhindsa

Birmingham Office Leader, Head of EPIC (Employment, Pensions, Immigration and Compliance), Member of Fieldfisher's Executive Committee
+44 7901 913993 Email Ranjit

Employment

Immigration

Inclusiveness, diversity and culture

IR35
Roman Iwański

Partner
Warsaw, Poland +48 224628802 Email Roman

Corporate

Defence Lawyers

Dispute Resolution

Employment, Pensions, Immigration and Compliance (EPIC)