Academy trusts and schools
Independently recognised as award-winning legal and HR experts, we are trusted by over 1,300 academy trusts and schools nationwide. Committed to providing the highest level of service to our clients no matter the situation or opportunity, our leading team of education law solicitors and HR consultants provide straight-talking, forward-thinking advice to help you do what is fundamentally right for your pupils and organisation.
Our national client base includes:
- maintained schools
- independent schools
- single and multi-academy trusts (MATs)
- faith schools
We can draw on expertise from across our full-service firm to assist you with your bespoke needs – from education law, employment issues, property and construction projects, to managing health and safety, commercial opportunities and disputes.
Where autonomy and accountability are the central pillars of national policy, it is essential to make sure you are getting the most out of your partnerships. With dedicated and experienced education law solicitors and HR consultants offering annual support packages and bespoke academy conversion project services for absolute fixed fees, our clients choose us because of our sector expertise but stay with us because of our exceptional service.
We are approved partners of the Association of School and College Leaders, the Confederation of School Trusts, the National Association of Head Teachers and the National Governance Association. The head of our education practice, Mark Blois, is also a designated National Leader of Governance.
What we do
As a leading provider of legal and HR services to schools and trusts of different structures , we provide a comprehensive range of legal services.
Why choose Browne Jacobson education lawyers?
As six times winners of the Education Investors Award our clients choose us because of our sector expertise but stay with us because of our exceptional service. For further information on how we can help you please contact us.
Our expertise
Featured experience
A multi-academy trust
Trusted legal advisors for a big multi-academy trust on over 20 of its academy projects, including fast track and fully sponsored, PFI conversions, a special free school, a mainstream free school and the establishment of a brand new academy led by a local authority.
Academy conversion
Academy conversion of over 850 schools since the introduction of the Academies Act.
Academy conversions
Converted all types of school into academies, these include community, voluntary aided, voluntary controlled, church, trust, co-operative, special, PRU, state boarding and foundation schools.
Academy conversions
Experienced in supporting primary, secondary, first, middle and high schools as well as all through provision.
Key contacts
Mark Blois
Partner
Nick MacKenzie
Partner
Emma Hughes
Head of HR Services
Julia Green
Partner
Dai Durbridge
Partner
Richard Freeth
Partner
Heather Mitchell
Partner
Ian Deakin
Partner
Lydia Michaelson-Yeates
Legal Director
Helen Cairns
Legal Director
What others say...
"Incredibly professional, approachable and knowledgeable workforce. The key difference in working with Browne Jacobson is that they really understand the Education sector and are able to answer questions, provide advice and support that is relevant, relatable and really straight-forward to understand and action."
"The firm has an exceptional education practice that extends from contract law, to academy growth, to employment law and safeguarding practice. They also provide an excellent service."
"The Browne Jacobson team is very competent, responsive and knowledgeable and always ready to step in with a solution."
"Huge enthusiasm and keenness to meet clients’ needs. They want to know and understand your business."
Latest insights and events
Legal Update
The Online Safety Bill – what does it mean for schools?
Online Event
Fit for purpose contracting - May 2023 cohort
In Person Event
MAT Development roadshows
In Person Event
MAT Governance Conference
Legal Update
Changes to the SEND and Alternative Provision framework
Article
New report highlights risk of sidelining ED&I in school trusts
Legal Update
New guidance: understanding academy trusts
Legal Update
be prepared for the 2022-23 academic year
Online Event
Wellbeing and financial considerations – practical solutions for challenging times
Legal Update
be connected - Spring 2023
Legal Update
Teacher strikes – lessons learnt so far
Legal Update
New support launched to manage school complaints
Legal Update
Cyber security and data breaches
Legal Update
#EdCon2023 virtual event hailed a success
On-Demand
Flexible working in schools webinar
Legal Update
What does the new Provider Access Legislation mean for schools?
Legal Update
High Court dismisses Welsh RSE right to withdraw claim
Opinion
Term-time school worker entitled to national minimum wage for unworked basic hours
On-Demand
Industrial action essentials: what you need to know
Legal Update
Education Software Solutions Limited breaks against the CMA’s intervention: A victory for freedom and flexibility in contracting for MIS services
Legal Update
Safeguarding at scale report published
Legal Update
Trade unions announce plans to re-ballot members
Legal Update
Widespread industrial action now confirmed for schools
Legal Update
Industrial action and minimum service levels within education
Opinion
Consultation on holiday entitlement – part-year and irregular workers
Guide
FAQs - converting to academy status
Guide
FAQs - becoming a sponsored academy
Guide
FAQs - becoming an academy sponsor
Guide
FAQs – single academy joining a MAT
Legal Update
EdCon2023 launch: Thursday 12 January
Legal Update
Teacher Pay Survey 2022
Legal Update
The Schools Bill – law no more
In July, we published an update on the Schools Bill with the news that the proposed legislation relating to new academy standards and extended intervention powers for academy trusts would be removed. Last week, we received broader news of the dropping of the Bill, with education secretary Gillian Keegan announcing that it will not reach its third reading in the House of Lords.Legal Update
be connected newsletter for schools - Winter 2022
Guide
Recruiting school staff on a budget – top tips
Regardless of the outcome of ballots on industrial action, unless there is drastic change to funding for schools in relation to pay increases, it will be unusual to find any organisational budget that is not impacted by the current economic situation.
Guide
Good governance essential to avoid falling foul of the ESFA
There’s been little evidence of interventions or financial management reviews this year and it appears the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) has re-focussed on financial delivery. It’s also telling that there were no discernible changes to the reporting of financial irregularities in the Academies Trust Handbook 2022.
Legal Update
Children's commissioner recommendations for SEND reform
The Children’s Commissioner, Rachel De Souza, has recently published a report “Beyond the labels: a SEND system which works for every child, every time”, which she intends to sit alongside the DfE’s SEND Review (2019) and SEND Green Paper (2022) and which she hopes will put children’s voices at the heart of the government’s review of SEND system.
Legal Update
Top three training topics 2022-23
As well as providing day-to-day support to help you focus on managing your settings, we also provide training and professional development on a range of topics to keep you and your staff up-to-date.
Legal Update
Hair discrimination – stop pupils being unfairly singled-out for their appearance
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHCR) recently issued new, non-statutory guidance regarding the wearing of natural or protective hairstyles, specifically in reference to their representation in uniform, behaviour or standalone appearance policies.
Opinion
The role of benchmarking in setting pay in schools
Emma Hughes, head of HR services at Browne Jacobson, explains how CST’s updated executive pay report and the linked benchmarking service from XpertHR can help trust boards make robust decisions on pay.
Legal Update
School complaint management - exploring a new way forward
There’s greater opportunity than ever for parents, carers and guardians to voice any concerns they have relating to their child’s education and for their concerns to be heard and to be taken seriously. While most staff in schools and academies are conscious of their legal duties relating to complaints management, many are struggling to cope with such a significant increase in the volume of complaints they must manage.