Education: Institutions
UK Guide 2025 : Northern Ireland
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+353 1 649 2000About
Provided by A&L Goodbody
A&L Goodbody has established itself as a leading legal advisor in this sector. We are the appointed lawyers for:
- the Council for Catholic Maintained Schools - the largest employer of teachers in Northern Ireland (6,000 teachers). CCMS is the advocate for the Catholic Maintained schools sector in Northern Ireland (over 750 schools). It supports the management of Catholic Maintained schools through boards of governors.
- the Controlled Schools' Support Council - which advises schools in the controlled sector, the largest education sector in Northern Ireland, accounting for 48% of all schools.
- the panel of the Education Authority – we are retained to provide advice in relation to high value employee relations matters.
- several independent secondary institutions
- Regional Colleges of Further and Higher Education within Northern Ireland – we are appointed to provide a wide range of legal services included, commercial, contract and procurement law, construction and estates management, corporate governance, education and charity law, employment law, litigation and dispute resolution and property and land law.
We regularly provide educational law advice for both of the independent Universities in Northern Ireland – Queen's University of Belfast and the University of Ulster across a diverse range of instructions.
Chambers Review
A&L Goodbody has a well-regarded team with a range of education specialisms. The firm is particularly active in the schools sector, acting for both the CCMS and CSSC. The team is experienced in handling SEND Tribunal proceedings concerning disability, sex and race discrimination, as well as planning and construction mandates.
Work Highlights
- A&L Goodbody defended St Oliver's Primary School in discrimination, harassment and victimisation proceedings brought by a teacher.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"A&L Goodbody consistently maintains their sense of excellence. They provide very consistent client service and also their value for money is excellent."
"A&L Goodbody consistently maintains their sense of excellence. They provide very consistent client service and also their value for money is excellent."
Notable Practitioners
Gareth Walls is a well-regarded education lawyer and sits as the head of A&L Goodbody's employment and incentives team in Belfast. He frequently advises both schools and universities on a variety of matters including discrimination claims and judicial review proceedings.
"Gareth Walls is very capable and a great lawyer."
Shirley Blair has considerable experience representing clients in SEND Tribunal proceedings and judicial reviews. She frequently assists both primary and secondary schools with unfair dismissal cases and claims of race and sex discrimination.
"Shirley Blair is a reliable, professional solicitor, with the ability to engage in a very understanding manner despite the difficult advice she may have to provide."
"She provides sound advice with detail."
