There are various situations that can call for a need of dispute resolution advice regarding schools and education systems. Our team at Forbes Solicitors has helped clients in this sector with a variety of issues. Examples of some recent cases include:

• Acting for a consortium of schools in relation to a dispute with a tendered catering contract;

• Advising a school in threatened Judicial Review proceedings;

• Defending school in connection with a failure to educate claims;

• Acting for a local Academy including a Business Enterprise centre in relation to a problem tenant;

• Assisting a Grammar School with a dispute involving an alleged right of way over the School playing fields;

• Acting for a number of private schools pursuing unpaid fees;

• Acting for a school pursuing damages for breach of contract against an outgoing catering contractor, who was making secret profits by way of rebates from suppliers and not accounting for them to the school;

• Advising a head teacher on defamation proceedings relating to posts on social media;

• Obtaining an injunction against a parent who made threats to a Head teacher;

• Advising a school on a claim brought by the Environment Agency over packaging waste recycling;

• Advising a school on a claim to terminate a contract of an underperforming contractor;

• Advising a college on potential injunctive proceedings against a former student harassing members of staff.

The length of a dispute being resolved varies on the complexity of the case however, alternative methods of dispute resolution (i.e., mediation, negotiation, arbitration) are always faster than court proceedings. These are the preferred course of action and will usually lead to earlier resolution of any dispute than court proceedings.

There are several services we can provide to help find a resolution as efficiently as possible and make sure that an agreement is found that all parties are happy with. This ranges from advising and analysing the strengths of your case, performing cost benefit analysis, organising alternative methods of dispute resolution like arbitration and mediation, as well as managing your case if it goes to court.

Our business dispute resolution solicitors are experienced in helping schools and institutions to find resolutions that work for all parties involved. At Forbes Solicitors, we can provide you with high quality legal professionals who specialise in these types of disputes and are trained in methods of conflict resolution. Get in touch with our expert team to find out more.