Legal advice for independent schools

Explore how we can help your charity organisation with any legal requirements.

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Legal advice and support for independent schools in the UK and overseas

Every independent school is unique, but each one needs sound, practical solutions for the legal and regulatory challenges it faces on a daily basis.

We are trusted Legal Advisers to Senior Leaders and Governors of leading Independent Schools of all shapes and sizes, providing advice and support on all the key legal and strategic issues arising from normal operations and plans for future development and expansion.

We understand how the sector is regulated

We have strong relationships with the associations which support Independent Schools, such as ISBA, HMC, AGBIS, BSA and IAPS. We are regularly asked to speak at conferences and other sector events.

Whether your school is a small, single sex day prep school or a large, senior co-ed boarding school, we have the expertise and experience to support you.

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464216

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Ben Collingwood

Ben Collingwood

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464204

Email Ben
Joanna Lada-Walicki
Ben Collingwood

Explore our legal services for schools

Independent schools overview

Commercial legal advice

Education and school disputes

Employment and HR advice

Governance for schools

School property strategy and management

Pupils and parents

Safeguarding and child protection

How Moore Barlow can help

We have the expertise and experience to support independent schools of all sizes and profiles including groups of schools, on a wide range of issues including:

We consider it an enormous privilege to work in the sector and we greatly value the relationships we have with schools, the associations and other professional advisers in the sector.

Contact us

We have offices in London, Richmond, Southampton, Guildford, Lymington and Woking. Please do not hesitate to contact any member of the team to discuss how we can help you.

We are here to help

Charities and education

Discover how our expert independent schools lawyers can help you.

Contact us

Contact our independent schools team

Our team of independent schools solicitors

Gordon Reid

Gordon Reid

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464224

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Ben Collingwood

Ben Collingwood

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464204

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Joanna Lada-Walicki

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464216

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Paul Ridout

Paul Ridout

Legal director | Charities, Independent schools

01483 417124

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Adam McRae-Taylor

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464249

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Olivia Stanton

Olivia Stanton

Associate | Charities, Independent schools

01483 748532

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George Shepherd

George Shepherd

Associate | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464220

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Grace Miller

Grace Miller

Solicitor | Charities, Independent schools

01483 462960

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Alice Carr

Alice Carr

Trainee solicitor | Charities, Independent schools

023 8202 5020

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Helen Harvie

Helen Harvie

Consultant | Charities, Independent schools

01483 464219

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Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) membership

Is your school currently considering its approach to the Teachers’ Pension Scheme (TPS) and whether to consult about a potential withdrawal or other arrangement? We are here to help.

Explore our guide

Our team accreditations

Chambers top ranked 2023 transparent

Explore our latest legal insights for schools

How should schools handle transgender issues in the absence of long-awaited government guidance?

Ben Collingwood

Partner

Teachers’ pension scheme update

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director

Government announced measures to combat the increase in children vaping

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner

DfE publishes updated guidance on action plans for independent schools

Olivia Stanton

Associate

DfE publishes updated version of Keeping Children Safe in Education

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner

Charity Commission updates its guidance on internal financial controls

Grace Miller

Solicitor

New guidance from ACAS on reasonable adjustments for mental health

Olivia Stanton

Associate

School chaplain’s claim for religious discrimination is rejected

Adam McRae-Taylor

Legal director

VAT and fees in advance schemes

Paul Ridout

Legal director

Teacher banned from profession after misgendering pupil

Joanna Lada-Walicki

Partner

Deputy headteacher wins unfair dismissal claim

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Employment Appeal Tribunal finds term time only worker’s salary breached National Minimum Wage requirements

Olivia Stanton

Associate

Don’t take our word for it…

We have a close and strong relationship with both contacts at the firm who have dealt with HR issues at our school. They are quick to respond and clear in their explanations on what is possible and and not possible. Ben Collingwood and Adam McRae-Taylor are always personable in their approach and helpful with honest and practical solutions.

Legal 500

A well balanced and dependable team, who provide a wealth of sound advice. They are friendly, customer-focussed, understand the sector and have good insight into the business side of a charitable independent school. They deliver good value and consistently high quality advice.

Legal 500

I see the team as highly specialised, expert advisers. They have a deep knowledge of the sector and provide clear, concise, accessible and practical advice.

Chambers and Partners