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Led by Nancy McGuire, Addleshaw Goddard LLP advises on infrastructure projects for government schools, and accommodation schemes for universities. The practice has experience in BSF projects, and has strong links with Partnership for Schools. Key clients include Sheffield City Council and Opal Student Accommodation.

Pinsent Masons LLP’s advice is ‘highly valued’; ‘responsive’ practice head Chris Mordue has ‘excellent technical knowledge’, and provides ‘pragmatic, commercial advice’. The firm regularly acts for educational institutions on project finance deals and accommodation projects.

DAC Beachcroft LLP’s team is ‘absolutely excellent’, and noted for its ‘thorough knowledge’ of the education sector and ‘first-class response times’. The firm had a key role in a number of multimillion pound design-and-build projects for academy schools. Frank Suttie provides ‘clear’ and ‘timely’ advice.

DLA Piper UK LLP represents free schools and advises universities on collaborative agreements, and it was also appointed by the Department of Education to act on academy conversions. Richard Bonnar leads a five-partner team across Leeds and Sheffield. Andrew Clarke recently advised Leeds City Council on a £12.5m voluntary aided school project. Richard Taylor is also recommended.

Schofield Sweeney has six partners who advise in relation to academy conversions, free schools and trust schools, handling a range of work including commercial property matters. Sarah Ruston joined the Bradford office, while Graham Shaw left for Ward Hadaway.

Walker Morris provides a ‘very good service’, and has ‘sound knowledge of the higher education sector’, advising on matters such as campus redevelopment, employment law and commercial transactions. Huddersfield University is a key client, and David Smedley recently represented Burnley College in an employment tribunal. Simon Anderson heads the group.

Ward Hadaway hired Graham Shaw in 2012. He specialises in academy conversions and complex trust structures.

Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP’s ‘excellent’ four-fee-earner team advises free schools and academies, in areas such as bullying, discrimination, and admissions and exclusions. Roy Woollard has a ‘particular affinity with, and understanding of, schools’.

Irwin Mitchell’s Michael Longden advised Northern Grid for Learning on a complex broadband procurement project, and acted for Newham Training and Education in funding negotiations. Sheffield Hallam University is also a client.

Lupton Fawcett LLP saw the arrival of Russell Davidson from Davidson Large LLP, who has experience in academy conversions. Team head Duncan Milwain advises several regional colleges.

Nabarro LLP’s ‘imaginative’ team has ‘excellent business acumen’ coupled with ‘extensive knowledge’. It has experience in BSF and academy conversions, and counts Westminster City Council as a key client. PFI expert Mark Rocca is the name to note.

Rollits LLP has significant experience in further education. It recently advised Hull College in relation to a multi-academy trust to operate two new studio schools. Tom Morrison leads the group.

Led by Gillian Hall, Watson Burton LLP’s team has been advising Barnsley College on funding reorganisation. The firm is also strong in site acquisitions and academy sponsorship.

Wrigleys’ Chris Billington handles constitutional issues and academy mergers. The group has advised on the establishment of a number of free schools.

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Legal Developments in Yorkshire and the Humber for Education

  • TRANSFER OF UNDERTAKINGS (PROTECTION OF EMPLOYMENT) AND AGE DISCRIMINATION

    I have been asked to cover the topic of Employment law within my half an hour speaking slot today. I have narrowed my subject down to Transfer of Undertakings and Discrimination, with the focus on providing an update on the recent spate of cases on service provision change and on the important developments in the law of age discrimination. Needless to say, in my presentation I shall not be able to cover the level of detail which is contained in my written paper, which I will leave you to read.
    - 11KBW

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