Further education and skills


The UK’s further education landscape is one of both opportunity and challenge. Our sector-leading team has the expertise to help you realise your ambitions while navigating through the complexities.

The further education sector continues to experience a range of challenges, from regulatory and legislative changes to funding reviews. At the same time, delivering essential education and skills training in local communities remains a priority. 

While facing these challenges, initiatives such as the Area Reviews and Apprenticeship Levy offer colleges opportunities to innovate and thrive.

We're committed to helping our FE sector clients overcome these challenges, achieve their objectives and make the most of opportunities.

We're recognised as a leading provider of legal services to the sector and help our clients across the full range of legal disciplines.

Our experience

We have extensive experience in the further education sector, having worked in the field since the incorporation incorporation of FE Colleges in 1993. Examples include:

  • Advising numerous colleges on their mergers and restructuring, including extensive due diligence and post-merger integration advice.

  • Regulatory compliance and helping colleges challenge the findings of their regulatory reviews.

  • Advising on novel corporate structures, setting up subsidiaries for commercial activities and joint ventures.

  • Providing a range of support to colleges on property matters, including campus redevelopment, acquisitions, transfers and sales.

  • Providing strategic and practical advice on a range of areas such as finance and banking, employment and pensions, equality and immigration, procurement, constitutional and regulatory issues, commercial and charity law, litigation and dispute resolution.

  • Advising colleges on governance changes, including restructuring governing bodies to make them more nimble.

  • Providing training for college staff on matters such as data protection, compliance and employment law obligations, risk management and individual and corporate liability for health and safety.

  • Advising colleges and providing training to governors in respect of the insolvency regime under the Technical and Further Education Act 2017.

  • Training governors on issues such as duties, governance issues and equality legislation.

  • Setting up and implementing new apprenticeship companies and structures.

Did you know?

Chambers UK 

Chambers rank us "band 1". Noting we're a "market leader in further and higher education, advising clients on significant legal and policy developments."

Sector innovators

We advised on the pioneering FE/HE merger between Bolton College and Bolton University. 

18 years

Recognising our unrivalled experience in the sector, we have been retained as legal adviser to AoC for over 18 years.

What our clients say about us

“Quick response times and very good sector knowledge that is then backed up by specialist lawyers.”

Legal 500

“Whatever the issue, Mills & Reeve will have the expertise on hand to advise.”

Chambers UK

“Superb-plus... response times are usually same-day from initial inquiry to telephone discussion in depth. All staff are very courteous, knowledgeable, and business-like, and the firm represents very good value for money.”

Legal 500

Our clients

We act for colleges and sector bodies across the UK. Examples include:

  • Association of Colleges
  • The Manchester College (LTE Group)
  • Bolton College
  • Bury College
  • Oldham College
  • South & City College Birmingham
  • South Thames Colleges Group
  • East Coast College
  • Runshaw College
  • Warrington & Vale Royal College

Our lawyers

Our specialist lawyers have a deep understanding of the industry. We stay close to developments and react quickly and proactively to ensure you receive a leading legal service.

Get in touch

Our team of legal experts are here to support you.
Contact one of our lawyers today.

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