Further education

At Browne Jacobson, we have been supporting further education (FE) institutions of all types for many years. Through our years of experience in FE and the wider education sector, and our recognition as thought leaders in education, we help FE institutions respond to the challenges of funding decline and the opportunities to do things differently. This, and our ability to develop strong relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, puts us at the centre of FE modernisation.

Our market leading work in reorganisations, mergers and academy sponsorships puts us at the forefront of the learning and skills agenda and some of society’s biggest issues. Our specialisms include advising on commercial contracts, information sharing and data protection, health and safety, HR and employment law issues, governance, safeguarding and learner conduct and welfare.

Our advice has included supporting an FE college in a collaboration with a multi-academy trust to enhance the provision of education and opportunity in a socially deprived area, advising on safeguarding issues to ensure legal compliance and protection of learners and advising on college mergers including on the impact on local communities.

Academy sponsorships and MATs

Banking and finance

Child protection and safeguarding in schools

Commercial law

Construction and engineering services

Corporate

Criminal compliance and regulatory

Data protection and information sharing in academy schools and trusts

Dispute resolution and litigation

Fraud in academy trusts and schools

Governance of schools and colleges

Health and safety in academies and schools

HR services for schools and academies

Information law

Insurance and RPA matters for academy trusts and schools

Intellectual property

Intellectual property law for academy trusts and schools

International

International law for higher education

Legal project management

Modern Slavery Act

Procurement for academy trusts

Public contracts, projects and funding

Public law

Real estate

Real estate development and regeneration for higher education

Reputation management

Restructuring and insolvency

Sanction and export controls in higher education

School land and buildings

Special educational needs and disability matters

Student matters in higher education

Tax

A further education college

Working with this college on safeguarding and data protection issues to ensure legal compliance and the protection of learners.

A further education college

Guiding this college through the due diligence process ahead of merger with another college.

A further education college

Supporting in a collaboration with a multi-academy trust to enhance the provision of education and opportunity in a socially deprived area.

A further education college

Advising an FE college on a cross-college restructure involving collective consultation with the recognised trade unions.

Bettina Rigg

Partner

Mark Blois

Partner

Dominic Swift

Partner

Nick MacKenzie

Partner

Sam Sharp

Senior Associate

Nick Smee

Partner

James Tait

Partner

Anja Beriro

Partner

Stephanie McGarry

Partner

Legal 500 2023

"Sector specific knowledge, wide range of specialists coupled with local client relationship manager."

Legal 500 2023

"Excellent support from Browne Jacobson. Their extensive knowledge of the education sector gives our organisation peace of mind regarding all legal aspects. Whenever I have contracted the firm I always receive a timely response and partners and associates are always available to talk through any queries and concerns."

Legal 500 2022

"Responsive and high level of understanding of education sector."

Legal 500 2022

"Browne Jacobson has great strength in the secondary education sector. The team’s enthusiasm for our sector is infectious and we really enjoy working with them."