Education Regulatory Compliance Lawyer 5+ years’ PQE LONDON

Farrar Levin Legal Recruitment; City Of London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A legal recruitment firm in London seeks an experienced Education Regulatory Compliance lawyer with over 5 years of PQE. The successful candidate will advise independent schools on complex regulatory frameworks, manage student behaviour, and safeguard compliance. This role offers the chance to work in a dynamic environment guiding schools through legal challenges at a time of evolving regulations.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ PQE in Education law.
• Experience in advising independent schools on legal matters.
• Familiarity with regulatory compliance specific to independent schools.

Responsibilities

• Advise on admissions and exclusions including appeals.
• Manage student behaviour and disciplinary issues.
• Handle safeguarding and equality matters.

Skills

Advising on admissions and exclusions

Managing student behaviour and disciplinary issues

Safeguarding and equality matters

Handling complaints and claims

Guiding schools through inspections

Job description

Private practice law firm in London, well regarded for the work it does in Education law, seeks an Education Regulatory Compliance lawyer of 5 or more years’ PQE. The Regulatory Compliance team guides clients (in particular, education and health and social care providers) through their regulatory frameworks and helps to manage the legal challenges that they face. Many clients are nationally‑renowned providers and much of the work is driven by legal and political developments in key sectors, which makes for a constantly evolving and dynamic practice. If you’re an experienced Education lawyer, specialising in parent and student matters as well as compliance with regulatory frameworks specific to independent schools, this opportunity could be for you. Ideally, you will have broad expertise across both contentious and non‑contentious aspects of the work and will be experienced in advising independent schools, school groups, and governing bodies on a wide range of legal issues. Working closely with the team lead for independent school practice, you’ll play a key role in supervising the work of the team and helping to deliver the team strategy in this dynamic and evolving sector.

• advising on admissions and exclusions (including appeals)
• managing student behaviour and disciplinary issues
• safeguarding, special educational needs (SEN) and equality matters
• handling complaints and claims (including tribunal work)
• guiding schools through inspections and regulatory compliance

You will also provide critical incident management and reputation protection services - key areas for independent schools. Familiarity with issues such as fee disputes, parental complaints, and safeguarding obligations unique to the independent sector would be highly valuable. Experience in handling sensitive cases discreetly and efficiently, with a focus on preserving school reputation, is essential. At a time of political and regulatory change, this role offers a unique opportunity to support independent schools as they navigate evolving challenges and continue to thrive.