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Advising on the business of education

We have a long history of guiding individuals and institutions on education law matters. Our Education Sector Group brings together our experience and expertise across the Firm. Our lawyers advise on issues relating to education law compliance, safeguarding, student discipline, investigations, parental and student complaints, student disciplinary proceedings, employment, academic freedom of speech, governance, health and safety, inquests, immigration and reputation, through to IP and competition.

Our international presence in Hong Kong and Singapore means our clients benefit from a truly integrated cross-border education law service, with expertise in both UK and international education systems.

Why choose our education lawyers?

Our Education Sector Group combines deep sector knowledge with practical legal expertise across all areas of education law. We understand the unique challenges facing educational institutions and provide pragmatic, commercially-focused advice that protects our clients' interests while maintaining their educational mission.

Higher Education

We advise universities, colleges and higher education institutions on their most complex and high-stakes matters including crisis management, safeguarding investigations, governance disputes, employment issues, regulatory compliance and academic freedom challenges.

Schools

Our education solicitors support independent schools, academies and nurseries with disciplinary matters, exclusions, parental complaints, safeguarding issues, employment disputes, special educational needs (SEN) legal support, regulatory investigations and reputation management during crisis. situations.

High net worth individuals

We provide specialist education law support to high net worth families and individuals facing education challenges including school exclusions, discrimination claims, university disciplinary proceedings, exam appeals, special educational needs disputes and safeguarding investigations.

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Work highlights

Work highlight

University governance crisis

Advising Oxbridge colleges through complex governance disputes involving senior leadership complaints and disciplinary proceedings.

Work highlight

Campus antisemitism

Representing Jewish students and community organisations facing hostility and discrimination on university campuses following October 7th.

Work highlight

School exclusion appeals

Successfully overturning permanent exclusions including discrimination-based appeals and cases involving students with special educational needs.

Work highlight

Political Impartiality

Advising a large group of schools on ensuring their curriculum complies with legislation and government guidance on political impartiality.

Work highlight

Gender identity and PSHE

Advising a large group of schools on enAssisting a group of schools on handling parental complaints and media interest in the school's PSHE curriculum related to gender identity.suring their curriculum complies with legislation and government guidance on political impartiality.

Work highlight

School investigations

Advising numerous families on school investigations into harmful sexual behaviour against their children.

Work highlight

Exclusion for violent behaviour

Helping a family navigate a governor's appeal to successfully overturn their disabled son's permanent exclusion from a boarding school for violent behaviour.

Work highlight

Union of Jewish Students

Advising the Union of Jewish Students and Bristol University JSoc on allegations of antisemitism against Professor David Miller.

Work highlight

Allegations of serious malpractice

Assisting a prestigious independent school with investigating and reporting to a regulator allegations of serious malpractice.

The Mishcon de Reya education team is phenomenal. The support they have provided me has been exceptional. Throughout the matter, they always retained a focus on their client’s needs and ensured that the client was in the centre of all decision-making.
Legal 500, 2026

The team at Mishcon are all personable and they provide an excellent, courteous and professional service.
Legal 500, 2025

Their experience in the market is a real asset.
Chambers and Partners, 2024

The breadth of expertise at Mishcon means they can advise across a range of employment issues. They are especially helpful for advising on potentially contentious employment matters which are often time-sensitive.
Chambers and Partners, 2024

Mishcon de Reya have an exceptional and nuanced understanding of the industry. The service levels and responsiveness are exceptional, always being available across UK and international time zones.
Chambers and Partners, 2024

‘Mishcon have a superbly professional operation in education – a really first class service.’
Legal 500, 2024

‘The team has impressive expertise in the whole field of law relating to higher education. . I have been particularly struck by the intellectual strength of the group. Their collective cleverness quotient is exceptionally high.’
Legal 500, 2024

‘The Mischon de Reya education law team are consummate professionals. Experts in their subject knowledge, top-notch with their strategic thinking, very clever with their tactical ideas, and totally devoted to their clients.
Legal 500, 2024

They bring tactical acumen and a strategic focus to a sector where that was and is very much needed, and are great at developing trusting relationships with their clients.’
Legal 500, 2024

Mishcon are becoming a real force to be reckoned with in education.
Legal 500, 2024

Mishcon de Reya’s vast array of expertise enabled the team to draw upon other partners for advice which enabled quick decisions to be made with outstanding legal support. I could not have asked for better legal support if I tried!
Legal 500, 2024

This team is friendly, professional and responsive. They make their clients feel valued and taken care of. I particularly noticed the personal service they were able to offer.
Legal 500, 2023

A lot of expertise acting for schools, parents and associated stakeholders. Understands governance and the regulatory environment.
Legal 500, 2024

I believe that the uniqueness of Mishcon de Reya lies in the fact that they recognise that each client’s case is unique to him/her and they give significant attention to every matter.
Legal 500, 2023

Commercial advice that is delivered in a swift, considered and pro-active way. They are available, efficient, practical, enthusiastic, direct and jargon free.
Legal 500, 2021

Individuals have been exceptional at delving into the details of specific and personal circumstances and often offering counsel or strategic advice that goes well beyond the routine role of the solicitor.
Legal 500, 2021

The team has a first-rate balance of the different skills and experience required. Few other firms can boast the same assured, coherent, accurate, practical and action-oriented approach.
Legal 500, 2021

Always a pleasure to work with. Timely responses, totally professional attitudes and technical expertise are hallmarks of their service. We have worked with the team for many years, and never experienced anything other than excellent responses from them.
Legal 500, 2021

The lawyers are great; Mishcon de Reya fight to the ends of the earth for their clients.
Chambers and Partners, 2021

Clients appreciate that the solicitors are intellectually curious and highly pragmatic; they're excellent.
Chambers and Partners, 2021

One of the best employment law teams in the UK; they are miles ahead.
Chambers and Partners, 2021

Well-disposed to handle resolution of significant employer/team move matters.
Legal 500, 2023

A formidable firm, with unrivalled abilities in this area of law. They have strength at every level of seniority and know the law back to front. They are also fearless representatives and very creative thinkers. They are a pleasure to work with.
Legal 500, 2023

I believe that the uniqueness of Mishcon de Reya lies in the fact that they recognise that each client’s case is unique to him/her and they give significant attention to every matter.
Legal 500 2023

Very smart, decent people, highly experienced, very client-focused
Legal 500 2023

A lot of expertise acting for schools, parents and associated stakeholders. Understands governance and the regulatory environment.
Legal 500 2023

Their down to earth and practical approach makes clients feel as if their case matters to the team and that they are not just one client amongst many.
Legal 500 2023

This team is friendly, professional and responsive. They make their clients feel valued and taken care of. I particularly noticed the personal service they were able to offer.
Legal 500 2023

Mishcon de Reya’s vast array of expertise enabled the team to draw upon other partners for advice which enabled quick decisions to be made with outstanding legal support. I could not have asked for better legal support if I tried!
Legal 500 2023