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Education

The UK education and research sector is internationally renowned. Our market-leading team assists in managing the complexities of the rapidly changing legal, commercial and regulatory landscape.

illustration for Education

Education and research transform lives and play a vital role in the flourishing of the UK economy and civic society, operating at the forefront of scientific, medical and technological development.

Educational institutions inhabit the intersection of the public, private and charity sectors, creating a unique combination of legal and regulatory issues.

We have the breadth of experience to help our clients operate successfully in this challenging environment.

Our team of education lawyers are recognised as a leading provider of legal services to the sector, acting for over 120 universities, colleges, national agencies, academies, educational businesses and charities across the UK.

Our education sector experience

As market-leading advisors to the sector, here are some examples of our work:

  • Strategy and conduct of matters: We advise on new institutions, commercial operations, acquisitions, finance/banking, campus redevelopment, student disciplinary issues, research misconduct, FOI and data protection issues, equality and human rights, consumer law, immigration compliance, fitness to practise, pensions and employment issues, charity law, education regulation, procurement, health and safety/inquests, mergers and restructuring, student union issues, litigation.

  • International issues: We collaborate with overseas partners, set up international campuses and handle contentious matters involving jurisdictions around the world. We guided London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in acquiring African research units and advise King’s College London on its international collaborations.

  • Bonds and private placements: We have developed these for the universities of Cambridge, Cardiff, Durham, Manchester and Southampton, and a number of leading schools.

  • Student accommodation projects: Work in this area includes a £130million project for the University of Hull in collaboration with student accommodation provider, UPP and a £90million project for UCL.

  • Mergers: We helped the Institute of Education merge with University College London. We advised on the merger between St George's, University of London and City, University of London to create a "health powerhouse".

  • Academies: We have acted for Academies Enterprise Trust and London Academies Enterprise Trust on every one of their academy conversions and rebrokerages.

Our clients

We act for over 120 education institutions, including universities, colleges, independent schools and academies. Clients having received our education legal advice include:

  • University of Cambridge
  • Birmingham City University
  • The Royal Veterinary College
  • The University of Manchester
  • The British Council
  • The Association of Colleges
  • Bolton College
  • Academies Enterprise Trust
  • Uppingham School

Meet our education team

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."

75+ jurisdictions

We've supported clients in over 75 jurisdictions, through our links with over 145 law firms in other countries.

Ground-breaking campus development

Acting for the University of Northampton on its £330million Waterside Campus development.

What our clients say about us?

 

“It has been comforting to know that the team at Mills & Reeve were on top of the brief and giving us clear advice.”

A client

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

Education client - Chambers UK

Our expertise

Academies and schools
Apprenticeships
Education law
Further education and skills
Higher education and research
Independent (private) schools
International
University financial resilience taskforce

University financial resilience taskforce

Our cross-disciplinary taskforce offer some practical tips on managing financial headwinds for universities.

Find out more

Legal webinars you may find useful

People Matter: Higher Education employment update

  • We look at the latest employment developments and key issues that Higher Education institutions need to be aware of.

View webinar

HE law webinar: Student protest encampments and balancing rights

  • Richard Sykes, Kate Allan and Henry Mahalski look at responding to student protest encampments, and consider lessons from recent cases and key points for institutions to consider before taking any legal action

View webinar

Maximising your trading subsidiary potential

  • A spotlight on managing your trading subsidiaries from launch to exit.

View webinar

Higher Education webinar: Setting up and managing trading subsidiaries

  • Mills & Reeve partner Poppy Short and senior associate Helen Hirst discuss managing your trading subsidiaries from launch to exit: when to use a trading subsidiary; structuring it; managing ongoing relationships; financing options; and charity tax issues.

View webinar

Managing your IP strategy using a trading subsidiary

  • One of three 30-minute interactive webinars using a case study to focus on the life cycle of your trading subsidiaries from setting up and operating them, to managing your intellectual property (IP) strategy and then considering your exit options.

View webinar

People Matter: Higher Education Immigration Update – 4 July 2024

  • Alex Russell looks at the latest immigration developments and key issues that higher education institutions need to be aware of.

View webinar

People Matter: Employment update for Higher Education Institutions

  • Our speakers will explore five key considerations when undertaking redundancy and restructuring exercises in the higher education sector.

View webinar

People matter: Education employment update - settlement agreements

  • Alex Russell considers the use of settlement agreements in the higher education sector focusing on limitations of settlement agreements and common problem areas, use of confidentiality provisions and implications arising from the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Act 2023

View webinar

Talking HEds vlogs

Watch how our experts discuss a wide range of topical issues facing the higher education sector.

Watch our Talking HEds videos

Education blog

We bring together the latest public, private and charity law updates for the education sector.

Read our education blogs

HEPI partner

We're also a corporate partner to the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI), the only independent UK HE policy think tank.

Find out more

Latest blogs from the education team

20 Nov 2024

Condition E6 – requirements for staff training

Universities will be reviewing their preparations ahead of the additional regulatory requirements that will apply from 1 August 2025.

More

20 Nov 2024

Offence of failure to prevent fraud

Following our briefing last year, the Government has announced that the offence will come into force on 1 September 2025 and has also published guidance for organisations.

More

15 Nov 2024

Key issues for decarbonising university heritage properties

Britain has some of the world’s oldest building stock, which in many places defines our heritage and history. This is evident across our university campuses.

More

14 Nov 2024

Highlights from AUDE's Legacy Buildings Guide

Christian Bull summarises some key themes from the AUDE/Arup Legacy Buildings Guide - essential reading for university estates teams.

More

12 Nov 2024

Before you rush to increase Home student fees, check your (hopefully not so) small print

Higher education providers should consider their student contracts and consumer law obligations in connection with any potential tuition fee increases.

More

24 Oct 2024

Consumer law fines and other changes in 2025 and 2026

The Government recently announced the expected implementation timetable for the consumer law aspects of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. When implemented, the Act will bring in many changes.

More

23 Oct 2024

Criminal offences under the Data Protection Act 2018 – a reminder

When dealing with mishaps relating to the handling of personal data, there are a myriad of considerations for controllers, and often the question of whether data breaches are notifiable to either or both of the Information Commissioner’s Office and data subjects is (rightly) a...

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14 Oct 2024

The Renters’ Rights Bill’s impact on student housing

The Renters’ Rights Bill (which succeeds the Renters (Reform) Bill issued by the previous government) was introduced to the House of Commons on 11 September 2024 and so begins its passage through Parliament.

More

10 Oct 2024

Sustainable building practices in higher education

As universities strive to create more sustainable campuses, the adoption of eco-friendly building practices has become increasingly important. These practices not only reduce environmental impact but also promote a healthier and more productive learning environment for student...

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Related sectors & services

Health and safety Charities and social enterprise Education Academies and schools Employment Employment - education Information law, data protection and privacy Litigation and arbitration legal services Reputation management, media and information litigation Projects and PPP Student accommodation projects