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James Morgan

Partner


Why choose me

I am passionate about the education sector and specialise in leading charitable mergers, acquisitions and collaborations for independent schools across England. As a Partner in the Corporate Education Team at HCR Legal LLP, I work exclusively on education transactions, guiding school governors, trustees and directors through what are often sensitive and high-profile deals. Whether it is a strategic charitable merger, sale or acquisition, I thrive on helping clients navigate the process and achieve a successful outcome.

My approach is pragmatic and commercially minded. I take the time to get to know each client and their school so the advice I give genuinely reflects their circumstances. The merger or sale of a school involves a wide range of specialist issues and stakeholders, including staff, parents and pupils, so clear communication and a collaborative approach are essential.

Our Education Team acts for more than 300 schools across England, as well as a number of the UK’s largest school groups, overseas investors and five leading sector bodies, including the Independent Schools Council (ISC), the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) and the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA). This depth of sector knowledge means I can draw on a wealth of experience and established relationships to support every aspect of a transaction, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion and beyond.

Before joining HCR, I worked in finance and the public sector, giving me a broader perspective on the legal and commercial challenges facing educational institutions today.

Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my children, weekends away and attending live sporting events, particularly international rugby and horse racing.

James Morgan

I am passionate about the education sector and specialise in leading charitable mergers, acquisitions and collaborations for independent schools across England. As a Partner in the Corporate Education Team at HCR Legal LLP, I work exclusively on education transactions, guiding school governors, trustees and directors through what are often sensitive and high-profile deals. Whether it is a strategic charitable merger, sale or acquisition, I thrive on helping clients navigate the process and achieve a successful outcome.

My approach is pragmatic and commercially minded. I take the time to get to know each client and their school so the advice I give genuinely reflects their circumstances. The merger or sale of a school involves a wide range of specialist issues and stakeholders, including staff, parents and pupils, so clear communication and a collaborative approach are essential.

Our Education Team acts for more than 300 schools across England, as well as a number of the UK’s largest school groups, overseas investors and five leading sector bodies, including the Independent Schools Council (ISC), the Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools (AGBIS) and the Independent Schools’ Bursars Association (ISBA). This depth of sector knowledge means I can draw on a wealth of experience and established relationships to support every aspect of a transaction, from initial structuring and due diligence through to completion and beyond.

Before joining HCR, I worked in finance and the public sector, giving me a broader perspective on the legal and commercial challenges facing educational institutions today.

Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my children, weekends away and attending live sporting events, particularly international rugby and horse racing.

Read what my clients say about me

We couldn’t have done it without you and your team and we are so grateful for your guidance! You’ve all been a pleasure to work with and I’d happily recommend HCR to fellow Bursars.

Client testimonial School Bursar

Thank you for what has been an excellent service and a great partnership. Your engagement, and by this I mean both yours and the wider team, has always been first rate. We have valued your sage and expert advice and of course all of the work completed on our behalf. I also appreciate how swift you have been to respond to issues as they arose and this has been very valuable; it is not always the case with some firms. In short, thank you for excellent support.

What a journey it has been and we now move into a new era for St George’s.

Client testimonial Client school

Thank you to you James Morgan and all the team for your advice, assistance, diligence and multiple hours ensuring this deal has been completed so smoothly. Please pass on my gratitude to Jess Boardman, Caitlin Swift, Morgan West, Ben Weiland and anyone else who has been involved!

Client testimonial Anonymous school

Thank you James, Micayla and Jessica for guiding and supporting us so expertly. We couldn’t have done it without you. Your expertise and help has been both invaluable and reassuring in taking us through the process. A major and very exciting step for the school!

Client testimonial Independent school

Thank you to all of the team at HCR. You have been great advisers and supporters throughout this process. That is very much appreciated.

Client testimonial Education Law

Thank you so much for all of your support with our transaction. Our Chair of the Building Committee and myself are so grateful for both your professionalism and for the personal commitments that you both made to support the School.

The matter required a quick resolution to ensure that the school was able to secure the facility promptly, as otherwise there was a risk they would lose their existing use of the site altogether. However thanks to the work of Morgan and James, as well as assistance from the wider team of Paul Watkins, Steve Thomas and Oliver Daniels the school was able to secure the site and the assets of the outgoing operator in a timely manner.

Bromsgrove School Sport centre acquisition

James Morgan and Kristine Scott are able to bring rigour to the process to ensure governance and decision-making is robust and clients focus on the right things.

Client testimonial Legal 500 2026

Your professionalism and due diligence has been first rate throughout.

Client testimonial Independent school

The team have supported and aided us so splendidly through this process… You have played a significant part in ensuring [the school] continues to offer a first rate education to future generations.

Client testimonial Independent school

Thank you for all you and your team have done for the school over the time we have worked together. I have learnt a lot from you and enjoyed the experience even with the, at times, significant pressure!

Client testimonial Education Law

Thank you to you, Jessica and the team for your assistance and guidance over the last few weeks. The Group has been pleased with the level of service, responsiveness and attention to detail.

Client testimonial Independent school

Many thanks for this. It just goes to show that with the right people involved we can get things done.

Client testimonial Education

Awards and endorsements

Legal 500 2026 – Recommended Lawyer

Legal 500 2026 – Recommended Lawyer

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