HCR Law’s Education team expands to meet rising client demand

Client demand for HCR Law’s specialist education legal services has driven the growth of its Education team across the firm.

Operating as a specialist sector practice within HCR, the Education team advises all types of educational establishments, including independent schools, academies, multi-academy trusts, colleges and higher education institutions. Drawing on expertise from across the firm’s full-service offering, the team are trusted advisers on multi-disciplinary issues with a holistic and integrated approach.

Recent increases in headcount reflect both the high volume of work and rising client demand for the specialist legal support. This year, the team welcomed high-profile appointments including Jessica Boardman, Laura Marshall and Tom Briant-Evans.

In its continued commitment to client service, the Education team announced a collaboration with leading governance, risk and finance consultancy, Sam Coutinho Consulting, in May this year. This partnership enables schools to better manage current sector challenges and seize opportunities for growth. Together with Sam, the team delivers a comprehensive legal and financial risk modelling and management service for education providers.

Further underscoring its strong reputation, HCR has recently been appointed to the University of Essex’s legal framework, which recommends legal providers to education sector and public sector organisations requiring specific products and services. Following a competitive tender process, the firm has been awarded a place as a supplier on seven Lots – a significant milestone in the Education team’s continued expansion into the higher education sector.

This appointment complements our no-commitment HCR Flex for Higher Education programme, which offers immediate access to interim legal expertise through legal counsel and in-house secondment services. The programme redefines traditional legal resourcing with a tailored, flexible support model designed specifically for the higher education sector.

Kristine Scott, Head of the Education Sector, said: “The continued expansion of our Education team reflects the increasing demand for specialist legal support across the sector.

“By deepening our expertise and strengthening our partnerships, we’re ensuring clients receive responsive, joined-up advice that meets the evolving challenges of education providers.”