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Education Law

Education Law

We provide expert advice and representation to students and their families facing educational disciplinary investigations and proceedings at school, college, and university level. These cases often arise from alleged breaches of an institution’s Code of Conduct and can involve academic or behavioural issues, but also quasi-criminal or criminal matters which have arisen as an informal complaint, police investigation or prosecution.

We also have specialist experience in advising university students facing fitness to practise proceedings for those entering regulated professions, where the outcome can have a direct impact on their future careers.

Our team supports students and families at every stage of the process, from the very first signs of an issue, through to interviews and formal hearings before panels and committees. We also provide early-stage, discreet guidance for engaging in communications with the institution, and preparing parents and students for meetings to help resolve matters before they escalate.

With access to leading specialists, including educational consultancy, medical and mental health professionals, rehabilitation and welfare experts, and technical forensic analysts, we focus not only on the outcome of proceedings, but also on protecting and managing our clients’ reputations.

We understand the importance of a student’s education, the careful enrolment choices families make, and the additional challenges faced by international students studying away from home. Our team of Partners and in-house Counsel pride themselves on handling matters with discretion, sensitivity, and the highest standard of client care.

Schools and Colleges:

Our experience in representing students ranges across the country’s leading preparatory, independent, and public schools. Our approach is student-focused, prioritising welfare and minimising disruption to education, while seeking to protect the student’s record and prevent unnecessary escalation, particularly through the involvement of outside agencies such as the police or social services.

We advise on a wide range of matters which includes issues of an academic nature but also allegations, both within and external to the confines of the school or college such as violent incidents, inappropriate behaviour or even sexual complaints.

Where necessary, we work alongside leading counsel and specialist experts in medicine, mental health, rehabilitation, and welfare. to ensure that students have the support that they need during these processes, but to also provide supporting material to the school or college if appropriate.

We regularly come across matters that have arisen via student social media and communications between student devices. We have access to technical experts to conduct analysis and are experienced in assisting clients to gather, preserve and present relevant digital material.

We often advise on the application of student policies and processes and can assist a student or family either by being the point of contact with the school or college or simply by working ‘behind the scenes’ to guide them through what are often very stressful circumstances.

Our advice is tailored to each family’s goals, whether that is maintaining the relationship with the school or college, or facilitating a smooth transfer to a new institution with guidance from an educational consultant.

We also regularly support students facing parallel criminal investigations or prosecutions, ensuring coordinated representation across both education and legal processes.

We can assist students and their families with:

Advice and liaison with schools and colleges
Guidance on disciplinary policies and procedures
Preparation for disciplinary meetings and interviews
Representation in investigations and hearings
Parallel representation in criminal investigations and proceedings
Access to external experts

Universities:

We have a particular specialism in advising students at Russell Group universities, both in disciplinary investigations and proceedings and in fitness to practise proceedings for those entering regulated professions. We focus on the student’s welfare, seeking to prevent escalation to outside agencies, minimising disruption to their studies and safeguarding their academic record.

We advise on a wide range of matters which includes issues of an academic nature but also allegations, both within and external to the confines of the university such as violent incidents, inappropriate behaviour or even sexual complaints.

Where necessary, we work alongside leading counsel and specialist experts in medicine, mental health, rehabilitation, and welfare. to ensure that students have the support that they need during these processes, and to provide supporting material to the university if appropriate.

We often advise on the application of student policies and processes and can assist a student or family either by being the point of contact with the university or simply by working ‘behind the scenes’ to guide them through what are often very stressful circumstances.

Our advice is tailored to each student or family’s goals, whether that is maintaining the relationship with the university, or facilitating a smooth transfer to a new institution with guidance from an educational consultant. We also regularly support students facing parallel criminal investigations or prosecutions, ensuring coordinated representation across both education and legal processes.

In student fitness to practise cases, we represent students from the initial investigation through to full panel hearings. Given the potentially career-ending consequences of an adverse outcome, we understand the critical importance of achieving a positive result at this stage.

We can assist with: