Education

Expertise

Holding Redlich is a leading adviser to the schools sector, with the depth of experience gained from advising more than 50 non-government schools and systems (faith-based and non-denominational), on a wide range of legal issues. We also advise state education departments and associated entities on public school infrastructure and major projects.

Our wide exposure to the schools’ sector, and extensive client relationships gives us a first-hand appreciation of the drivers and pressures that impact your operations. We understand that our role is to support the essential business and operations functions of our school clients, which in turn enables our clients to achieve their core purpose –the education and advancement of students.

We appreciate the unique challenges faced by education institutions, such as the specialised nature of school premises and operations, governance and regulatory requirements specific to the education sector, high visibility brand and reputation exposures, and the delicate balance that needs to be struck between stakeholder groups with divergent interests.

Our partners support the Association of School Business Administrators (ASBA) and often present at industry conferences on legal issues affecting operations of education institutions.

We recognise that strategies effective in other sectors may not necessarily apply to education. We tailor our services to provide seamless assistance as and when required, our technical expertise underpinned by a deep understanding of complexities of today’s school operating environment. Our expertise includes:

• new development and capital works
• facilities management
• property acquisitions, disposals and refurbishment
• procurement and commercial contracting regulatory compliance
• privacy and data protection
• defamation and reputation risk
• employment, work health and safety
• debt recovery
• commercial disputes.
  
  

Experience

• Kambala School Sports Precinct & Auditorium: advising on the procurement stage of the project which involves excavating the existing school field and developing a multi-purpose 2-court arena and auditorium
• Knox Grammar School Performing Arts Centre: advising on the construction of its, incorporating comprising 750-seat auditorium, 160-seat drama space, performance art rehearsal spaces and a junior academy space, valued at $47m and built whilst the school remained operational around the construction site
• Cranbrook School Senior Campus redevelopment: strategic advice and preparation of project contract documentation, including consultant and contractor agreements, insurance advice and risk mitigation strategies for a substantial campus redevelopment
• St Ignatius College Riverview 'Wingaru Project': a large new five-storey facility to accommodate a dedicated STEM and PDHPE learning spaces, outdoor learning and canteen facilities and other operational functions
• Barker College Rosewood Centre: advising on the construction of a three-storey structure, housing five multi-sport playing courts, two fitness centres and 12 classrooms. We prepared consultant and construction agreements, working closely with the project managers and Barker College staff as well as supporting the school council with advice during both negotiations and project delivery
• Various Schools: providing ongoing advice on, and drafting and negotiating bespoke leasing arrangements for schools, including Barker College, Knox Grammar, Kings School, Pacific Hills Christian School, and Cammeraygal Montessori School
• Uniting Church schools in Sydney: acting on substantial projects and facilities maintenance for Knox, Ravenswood, Pymble and MLC among others
• Anglican Schools Corporation: advising on a range of construction and property matters across the 17 schools it operates in NSW
• Catholic Diocese of Parramatta: advising on planning law issues relating to the redevelopment of the former Kings School site, Parramatta
• Armidale Catholic Schools: advising on building and facilities maintenance contracts and disputes
• Pacific Hills Christian Education Group: advising on and implementing a group restructure including regulatory compliance, acquisition of new schools and approval as a system. We also advise on commercial matters, debt recovery and employment matters
• NSW independent school: advising on $30+ million finance facility with a big-4 bank
• Pacific Brook Christian School: advising on a voluntary planning agreement for a new school build
• Margaret Jurd College, NSW: acting pro-bono in connection with facilities development and maintenance and new campus, for the Uniting Church for students with complex needs
• Regional college, Victoria: settled at mediation on very favourable terms, proceedings to recover costs of rectifying combustible cladding on multi-purpose gym and auditorium building. Simultaneously advised on the rectification, tendering and project management process during rectification
• Regional college, Victoria: advising on recovery of anticipated rectification costs in relation to defects in an aquatic centre vapour barrier and a car park
• Various non-government schools: advising on risks/claims arising from combustible cladding and other construction defects including decking, carparks and aquatic buildings
• Various non-government schools: acting for the schools in payment disputes, including claims under security of payment legislation in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland
• NSW Department of Education: advising on planning approval pathways for new school builds throughout the state
• Schools Infrastructure NSW: advising on various building related matters and projects