Education: Institutions (Schools)
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Contact number
(01483) 543210About
Provided by Moore Barlow LLP
Moore Barlow's advise senior leaders and governors of leading independent schools of various sizes on all the key legal issues that affect their operations and strategic plans.
The independent schools team at Moore Barlow are associated with ISBA, HMC, AGBIS, BSA and IAPS and regularly attend as speakers at their conference and other events.
Chambers Review
Moore Barlow possesses a deep understanding of employment law, pastoral care and commercial issues faced by schools. The team is particularly praised for its expertise in matters intersecting with education law such as data protection, IP and all manner of disputes. The firm is well known for its extensive independent school client base, and recommended for advice on parental complaints, disability discrimination claims and safeguarding issues.
Work Highlights
- Moore Barlow advised Effingham Schools Trust on a merger with Manor House School. This involved working with the Trust on any constitutional or charity law issues that arose during the process of the merger.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"I've found Moore Barlow to be incredibly knowledgeable."
"The lawyers at Moore Barlow provide excellent support."
"Moore Barlow give superb, well considered and well thought-out advice."
"Moore Barlow give very timely, practical, solution-orientated and constructive advice."
"Moore Barlow have excellent knowledge of the education sector, so you don't have to explain how the sector works, you can just get into the details of the issue."
"I've found Moore Barlow to be incredibly knowledgeable."
"The lawyers at Moore Barlow provide excellent support."
"Moore Barlow give superb, well considered and well thought-out advice."
"Moore Barlow give very timely, practical, solution-orientated and constructive advice."
"Moore Barlow have excellent knowledge of the education sector, so you don't have to explain how the sector works, you can just get into the details of the issue."
Notable Practitioners
Head of the schools practice at Moore Barlow, Joanna Lada-Walicki advises independent school clients on a range of sensitive reputational matters. She is particularly adept at handling cases concerning allegations of abuse and misconduct levelled against staff, as well as advising on Teachers' Pension Scheme matters.
"Joanna Lada-Walicki knows us well, and has been incredibly helpful across a wide range of work."
"Joanna Lada-Walicki is confident in her knowledge and approach to all issues."
"Joanna Lada-Walicki is an incredible solicitor, who provides a very high level of well-considered advice."
"Joanna Lada-Walicki goes over and above and will always provide superb support. I genuinely cannot rate her highly enough."
"Joanna Lada-Walicki is a superb lawyer. She is calm in her approach and extremely knowledgeable. She seeks to work in the best interest of the client in all aspects"
Ben Collingwood regularly advises independent schools on pastoral and employment matters. He is particularly adept at assisting with safeguarding issues, parental complaints and historic abuse allegations.
"Ben has provided wise, sensible and reliable advice."
"Ben Collingwood is highly regarded, has an astute understanding of the sector and is clear in his approach. He is supportive and highly knowledgeable."
"Ben always provides well thought-out and sophisticated advice. He makes you feel like you are calling an old friend when you need advice."
Adam McRae-Taylor assists with employment matters in the education sector, primarily for independent schools and multi-academy trusts. He has particular expertise in relation to pensions matters, TUPE transfers and safeguarding and pastoral issues.
"Adam McRae-Taylor is fantastic."
"Adam has excellent knowledge and provided superb, high-level advice."
"He provides us with first-class advice as well as first-class service. I have never not taken or followed the advice he has given. He is a pleasure to work with."
"Adam McRae-Taylor is incredibly supportive and consistently provides pragmatic and outstanding advice."
Gordon Reid is a partner based in the firm's Guildford office. He regularly represents independent schools in a range of issues, including property and employment matters.
Ranked Lawyers at
Moore Barlow LLP
UK-wide