About Martin:
Martin joined Weightmans in 2008 and heads up the education team. He is experienced in all aspects of law specifically impacting Universities relating to projects, international ventures and procurement agreements.
Our education lawyers provide comprehensive legal services for the education sector, from private and state schools to sixth form and further education colleges and universities.
With increasing regulation and competition, the education sector is facing unique challenges and growing change, making interaction with other education institutions and the private sector vital.
Our dedicated team of education lawyers brings together specialist expertise to provide a complete solution both in the UK and overseas in increasingly important markets.
We always take a bespoke approach, spending time with you to understand your issues and priorities, passing on best practice and insights through regular briefings and workshops and, most of all, personal engagement. That’s why we believe we provide unrivalled support and value for money.
Expertise provided by our education lawyers
Higher and further education
Our deep knowledge of the Higher Education sector gives us a sharp insight into the issues you face, enabling us to provide pioneering legal solutions to help you address them head on.
Members of our team of education lawyers have held a variety of in-house posts in Universities and thanks to our full range of legal services tailored specifically to higher education institutions and strong history of working with FE and HE, clients can be sure to receive a truly focussed service.
Examples of our work in higher and further education include:
- Advising HE Institutions on contentious student issues and the idea of the student as a consumer. We are especially skilled in dealing with complaints involving Equality Act issues. Examples of recent advice:
- We undertook a comprehensive review of a number of student discipline cases involving fitness to study procedures for one university client;
- We advised in respect of a student who was being investigated by the police in relation to an alleged serious sexual assault against two other students studying at the same institution. We provided advice in relation to bail conditions and how the university could manage both on and off campus study for the accused;
- A former student was sued by one of our clients for unpaid fees. In defending the claim, the student also brought a counterclaim alleging discrimination on the basis of failure to implement reasonable adjustments. We obtained summary judgment on the debt claim, a strike-out of the counter claim and a costs order in the University’s favour; and
- Undertaking a detailed review of a university’s Student Discipline Procedure. The advice also dealt with the appropriate management of criminal offences to accord with the Zellick principles.
- We advised QMUL on the establishment of a medical school in Malta. Funded initially by the Maltese Government and based on the island of Gozo, the school provides a teaching programme delivered by staff from QMUL’s Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
- The school was built to QMUL’s specification. QMUL will enter into an agreed form lease on practical completion of the building for an initial term of 15 years. We advised on the education, construction, real estate and commercial aspects.
- We advised on the establishment of the Northern Health Science Alliance. The NHSA was established as a company by eight leading Universities and eight NHS Hospital Trusts in the North of England, linking with the newly formed Academic Health Science Networks (AHSNs) to act as a single portal bringing together research, health science innovation and commercialisation to provide benefits for researchers, universities, hospitals, patients as well as commercial partners. We advised the directors on the appropriate structure and corporate governance arrangements, drafted communications with members and drafted/completed the articles of association and members agreement.
- We have advised universities on a range of contract/discrimination issues where these arise out of student status or where there is a crossover between student and employment status. Examples:
- Advice provided to a University wishing to set up a degree course overseas but within a jurisdiction which does not permit people who are HIV positive to remain on a long term basis. Potential Equality issues for students and staff.
- Advice provided to a University in dealing with claims made by a mature student who was unsuccessful in application for part time employment at the University and raised claims of age discrimination.
- Advice provided in relation to secondee students facing misconduct allegations employed by the Student Union but remaining under the student policies and procedures of the University.
Student complaints
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We have launched a comprehensive student complaint handling service for higher education institutions.
Learn more about our complaints handling service
Schools
Our education lawyers provide a full support service to independent schools, co-operative schools, local authority maintained schools and academies.
Through our Support for Schools service, we provide all the expert legal and HR advice you'll need throughout the school year. Our team includes ex-local government solicitors with a unique understanding of the intense scrutiny under which this sector operates.
Education law training
We offer a wide range of bespoke training programmes, tailored specifically to meet the individual needs of higher education institutions. Training covers the full spectrum of legal requirements across:
- Specialist education services
- Information management and cyber security
- Corporate and commercial
- Employment and HR
- Estates.
Accolades
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The quality of Weightmans' advice is always excellent; the firm completely understands the higher education sector and has a number of sector experts.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
Weightmans is always very thorough and responsive yet pragmatic. I have found the team to be very experienced in a wide range of higher education matters.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
Weightmans adds great value and supports delivery of our function. The service we received was excellent. All of our requirements are met by the team.
Chambers and Partners, 2027 -
Intense knowledge of the sector, very professional in attitude, and excellent advice.
Legal 500, 2027 -
The team members we have worked with demonstrate excellent technical expertise alongside strong interpersonal skills. They are supportive, efficient, and clearly invested in achieving the best outcomes for their clients.
Legal 500, 2027 -
What differentiates them from competitors is their commitment to client service and the quality of their communication. They take the time to understand the organisation and provide advice that is not only legally robust but also practical and solutions-focused. Both are proactive, collaborative, and reassuring to work with, particularly when dealing with complex or time-sensitive matters.
Legal 500, 2027 -
They are consistently responsive, readily available when needed, and provide clear, pragmatic advice that is tailored to the operational realities of the education sector. Their ability to balance strong technical expertise with a practical and commercial approach has been especially valuable.
Legal 500, 2027 -
The individuals we work with stand out for their professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to provide calm, practical advice even in challenging situations. They are highly knowledgeable but also approachable and easy to work with, which helps build strong and trusted relationships.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Communication is excellent, matters are handled efficiently, and the team is always willing to go the extra mile to support clients.
Legal 500, 2027 -
They combine strong technical expertise with an ability to explain complex legal issues in a clear and accessible way. Compared with other firms, the team feels more engaged and proactive. They take time to understand the organization, its culture, and objectives, which enables them to provide advice that is both legally robust and commercially sensible. Their responsiveness and accessibility are exceptional, and they are trusted advisers rather than simply external lawyers. The practice also demonstrates a strong commitment to collaboration and relationship management.
Legal 500, 2027 -
What particularly differentiates the team is the quality of client service. Queries are dealt with promptly, advice is pragmatic and solutions-focused, and the team works collaboratively to ensure continuity and consistency of support.
Legal 500, 2027 -
The team consistently provides clear, commercially focused guidance that is tailored to the realities and pressures faced by educational institutions. They are approachable, highly knowledgeable, and always available when urgent issues arise, which gives significant reassurance to clients.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Fantastic individuals with practical advice. Weightmans LLP’s education institutions practice stands out for its responsiveness, practical advice, and genuine understanding of the education sector.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Very responsive and pragmatic, especially with reference to procurement-related advice.
Legal 500, 2027 -
The team is grounded in in-house practice and is able to use that knowledge to provide pragmatic advice to HEIs.
Legal 500, 2027 -
Personalised service and client-driven to specific interests/needs rather than generic.
Legal 500, 2027 -
They are honest and reliable and always willing to explain things in laymans terms.
Legal 500, 2026 -
The team are knowledgeable and reliable and understand the context of our business.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Weightmans are very approachable and give clear, practical advice. They guided us through the process and enabled us to make well-informed decisions. Their client communication is excellent, at all times prompt and thorough.
Legal 500, 2026 -
Weightmans offer dedicated Higher Education knowledge and legal expertise to HE providers in England. Equally they have dedicated experts in other legal fields which can be drawn upon as and when needed through brokering such expertise via the partner contact for the individual HE provider.
Legal 500, 2026 -
The team I've worked with at Weightmans is always extremely prompt at providing excellent advice which is well-informed and insightful. The team has provided advice across a number of areas, particularly student complaints, which has been extremely informative and helpful.
Legal 500 2026 -
In my experience, what makes this team unique is the amount of in-house University experience that they have and are able to translate and apply those skills to real-world problems, not just give legal advice, but practical implementation guidance.''Broad experience with depth of skills.
Legal 500 2026 -
Weightmans has provided quality legal advice and support, delivered in a pragmatic way which appreciates the plethora of tensions and risks which the University may have in relation to an issue.
Chambers & Partners 2026 -
Weightmans is responsive, proactive and clearly understands the higher education market.
Chambers & Partners 2026 -
Weightmans has provided an excellent level of service to the University.
Chambers & Partners 2026 -
Weightmans provided prompt and appropriate advice, tailored to take account of the circumstances
Chambers & Partners 2026 -
I have trusted the professional legal advice and expertise that Weightmans has provided, based on a clear understanding of current case law.
Chambers & Partners 2026 -
There has not been an issue which we have taken to Weightmans which they have not had the depth and breadth to manage.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
The team is knowledgeable and takes into account the specific needs of our Institution, able to make recommendations and describe risks in ways that colleagues and decision-makers are able to understand.
Legal 500 2025 -
Very easy to get along with, plain English and no jargon and sound trusted advice and guidance.
Legal 500 2025 -
For their responsiveness, clarity of legal advice, value for money, and quality of client care, Weightmans provides outstanding service across a wide range of legal disciplines — they are my 'go-to' lawyers in all circumstances.
University Secretary -
The team are highly knowledgeable and have worked at pace on a complex project. Responses to questions have always been timely and provide the necessary detail to help inform decisions. The collaboration between the Weightmans team, client and third party has been exceptional, thinking outside the box and weighing up all possibilities to the challenges faced.
Legal 500 2025 -
Weightmans delivered a fast response and sound practical advice.
Chambers and Partners 2025 -
Weightmans respond swiftly, providing clear advice and guidance on how to handle a specific case.
Chambers and Partners 2025
