Property strategy and management for independent schools

Explore how we can help your charity organisation with any legal requirements.

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Legal advice and support for independent schools in the UK and overseas

Every independent school is unique, but each one needs sound, practical solutions for the legal and regulatory challenges it faces on a daily basis.

We are trusted Legal Advisers to Senior Leaders and Governors of leading Independent Schools of all shapes and sizes, providing advice and support on all the key legal and strategic issues arising from normal operations and plans for future development and expansion.

We understand how the sector is regulated

We have strong relationships with the associations which support Independent Schools, such as ISBA, HMC, AGBIS, BSA and IAPS. We are regularly asked to speak at conferences and other sector events.

Whether your school is a small, single sex day prep school or a large, senior co-ed boarding school, we have the expertise and experience to support you.

Gordon Reid

Gordon Reid

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464224

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Contact our independent schools team

Explore our legal services for schools

Independent schools overview

Commercial legal advice

Education and school disputes

Employment and HR advice

Governance for schools

School property strategy and management

Pupils and parents

Safeguarding and child protection

Our team of independent schools solicitors

Gordon Reid

Gordon Reid

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464224

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Ben Collingwood

Ben Collingwood

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464204

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Joanna Lada-Walicki

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464216

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Paul Ridout

Paul Ridout

Legal director | Charities, Independent schools

01483 417124

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Adam McRae-Taylor

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464249

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Olivia Stanton

Olivia Stanton

Associate | Charities, Independent schools

01483 748532

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George Shepherd

George Shepherd

Associate | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464220

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Grace Miller

Grace Miller

Solicitor | Charities, Independent schools

01483 462960

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Cerys Cousins

Cerys Cousins

Trainee solicitor | Charities, Independent schools

023 8071 8000

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Helen Harvie

Helen Harvie

Consultant | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464219

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Explore our latest legal insights for schools

Amending a governing document

Paul Ridout

Legal director

Family friendly legislation – Upcoming changes to family leave

Cerys Cousins

Trainee solicitor

Heat of the moment resignations

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Government draft code on ‘fire and re-hire’ updated

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director

Are you ready for the new employment rates and limits?

Cerys Cousins

Trainee solicitor

part-year and irregular hours workers

New holiday rules that apply to part-year and irregular hours workers

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Draft transgender guidance for schools – the key points explained

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner

Gender critical social media posts by school employees

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director

To stay or leave the Teachers’ Pension Scheme

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director

Updated guidance on managing sick leave in school

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Teacher wins his claim for unfair dismissal

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Ensuring an accessible recruitment process for individuals with disabilities

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Our team accreditations

Don’t take our word for it…

Moore Barlow possesses a deep understanding of employment law, pastoral care and commercial issues faced by schools. The team is particularly praised for its expertise in matters intersecting with education law such as data protection, IP and all manner of disputes. The firm is well known for its extensive independent school client base, and recommended for advice on parental complaints, disability discrimination claims and safeguarding issues.

Chambers & Partners

The practice provides a wide range of advice covering simple debt recovery actions to complex educational, charitable and employment matters.

Legal 500

The education team always give a personal touch and offer supportive advice. They are straightforward, fair and very competent. The team are friendly and respond to requests very quickly, and the quality of the written advice is excellent.

Chambers & Partners

We have a close and strong relationship with both contacts at the firm who have dealt with HR issues at our school. They are quick to respond and clear in their explanations on what is possible and and not possible. Ben Collingwood and Adam McRae-Taylor are always personable in their approach and helpful with honest and practical solutions.

Legal 500

A well balanced and dependable team, who provide a wealth of sound advice. They are friendly, customer-focussed, understand the sector and have good insight into the business side of a charitable independent school. They deliver good value and consistently high quality advice.

Legal 500

I see the team as highly specialised, expert advisers. They have a deep knowledge of the sector and provide clear, concise, accessible and practical advice.

Chambers and Partners