Department profile
Farrer & Co LLP

Education: Institutions (Schools)

UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide

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Farrer & Co LLP

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Education: Institutions (Schools) - UK-wide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Farrer & Co is an outstanding firm, handling the most high-profile and complex education matters for independent schools and academies. The firm houses an impressive bench of education specialists and a dedicated child protection unit. It possesses market-leading expertise in charities law and constitutional issues affecting the education sector. The firm is excellent at defending sensitive and contentious matters and offers leading expertise in overseas collaborations and expansions, as well as data protection issues.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • I am particularly impressed by the Farrer team's rapid response and approachability. Every query is addressed with remarkable efficiency, demonstrating a profound understanding of urgency.

    Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

  • The Farrer & Co team quickly gets to grips with the matter in question and always gives comprehensive advice specific to the context. The legal brains at Farrer & Co are exceptional.

    Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

  • Farrer & Co is responsive and the advice is comprehensive with an assurance that one is getting the best advice in the sector.

    Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

  • The advisers I have worked with at Farrer's have always been exceptionally well-informed, intelligent and articulate, whilst also demonstrating compassion, understanding and empathy.

    Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

  • Farrer & Co is very multi-disciplined and solution-focused.

    Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • David Smellie
    David Smellie

    David Smellie

    David Smellie heads the dedicated safeguarding unit at Farrer & Co. He advises schools on a variety of issues, including historic abuse claims, serious incident cases and proceedings before the SEND Tribunal.

    • David is the absolute top of the tree, and it is an utter privilege to be able to access his advice.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Quite clearly an exceptional human being.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK
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  • Jonathan Eley
    Jonathan Eley

    Jonathan Eley

    Head of the education practice at Farrer & Co, Jonathan Eley regularly represents schools and academies in a range of contentious issues. He frequently handles employment tribunals and is equally adept at assisting with acquisitions and pension matters.

    • Jonathan Eley has superb subject knowledge.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Jonathan is a self-effacing individual, who is outstanding in all aspects.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Jonathan's thoughtful and very wise, experience-led advice has been invaluable.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK
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  • Sam Macdonald
    Sam Macdonald

    Sam Macdonald

    Sam Macdonald regularly assists clients with the employment and data protection implications of school mergers and closures. He possesses particular experience in transactions involving charity law elements.

    • Sam remains our go-to for arcane contract law in education.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Sam Macdonald is a knowledgeable and wise counsel.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Sam Macdonald has tremendous subject knowledge and is a genuine pleasure to work with.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK
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  • Alice Yandle
    Alice Yandle

    Alice Yandle

    Alice Yandle advises schools on various corporate matters, including mergers, acquisitions and sales. She is also adept at assisting with employment and SEN issues, including redundancies, pension matters and discrimination claims before the First-tier Tribunal.

    • Alice remains a powerhouse of forensic insight and has a phenomenal work ethic. As a partner, she goes from strength to strength, bringing on a fine team.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Alice understands us as clients and provides clarity of thought with a high level of responsiveness.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Alice's knowledge and confidence with different areas of education, safeguarding and HR law is outstanding, and she works collaboratively with us to achieve the outcomes we want.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK
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  • Maria Strauss
    Maria Strauss

    Maria Strauss

    Maria Strauss regularly acts for independent schools and school trusts. She has substantial experience in handling sensitive employment, safeguarding and education law issues.

    • Maria's approach is characterised by a meticulous attention to detail and a deep empathy for those involved.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Maria is an exceptional partner with whom it is a privilege to work. Her thoroughness, detail, thoughtfulness and the speed at which she works are all superb.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Maria has been an exceptional support in complex safeguarding matters.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Maria, justifiably, has a superb reputation and I recommend her and her team to anyone who needs any form of legal assistance. She is brilliant.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK
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  • Paul Jones
    Paul Jones

    Paul Jones

    Paul Jones advises a range of schools on commercial contracts, governance and regulatory matters. He has extensive experience managing portfolios for independent schools and international partner schools.

    • Paul is sharp, responsive, creative and emotionally intelligent.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK

    • Paul is a brilliant team player and really invests in the relationship.

      Education: Institutions (Schools) respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Farrer & Co LLP (6)

UK-wide

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