Education: Institutions | UK

Brodies has a strong education team that advises an array of clients including prominent higher and further education institutions and local authorities. The firm stands out for its handling of employment issues, judicial reviews and strategic development projects. It is also adept at assisting with governance, data protection and intellectual property matters.

CMS is highly regarded for handling corporate, real estate and construction projects for leading universities across the UK. The firm also excels in providing advice on governance issues, intellectual property disputes and research collaborations. The team is noted for its multidisciplinary sector expertise and acts as exclusive advisers to over half of the research universities in Scotland. It also advises prestigious English research universities.

Pinsent Masons has a well-known education group that provides a full suite of services, including strategic planning, IT infrastructure and international project work. The team is highly adept at assisting clients with property developments, including significant student accommodation projects. The firm is frequently instructed by higher and further education institutions in Scotland and England to advise on procurement, funding and collaborations with overseas institutions and corporations at home and abroad.

Shepherd and Wedderburn is a highly rated outfit with an extensive list of prominent education clients across Scotland and abroad, including state and independent schools, further education colleges and universities. The team is particularly adept at advising on contentious employment matters, including discrimination claims and cases concerning allegations of bullying and harassment. The firm regularly assists clients with immigration, data protection and restructuring issues. It represents numerous local authorities with regard to school procurements under the Scottish Government's hub funding model.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts acts for a large and diverse cross-section of education clients, including further and higher education institutions, private schools, local authorities and various governmental education bodies. The firm's sector-specific strengths cover employment, immigration, data protection, governance and construction. It possesses niche expertise with regard to the requirements of agricultural studies institutions. In November 2023, Morton Fraser and MacRoberts merged to form Morton Fraser MacRoberts.