Education and training providers face a broad spectrum of unique legal issues that call for specialist expertise in education law.
Education law and legal issues are particularly affected by frequent legislative reform resulting from changing educational practices and student needs.
Our team of specialists have significant experience advising a diverse range of organisations in the education sector. This includes schools (state and non-state), universities, colleges and other tertiary institutions, as well as private educational institutions, registered training organisations and other training providers.
Our team advises principals, management teams, boards and governing bodies. Our education sector advice extends to matters such as student enrolment, workplace relations and safety, student protection, legislative compliance, property acquisition and disposal, planning and environment, construction and infrastructure, corporate governance, structuring (including as a not-for-profit entity), insurance and risk.
We understand the sensitive environment in which education and training institutions operate. In particular, we recognise the diverse educational, social and religious philosophies and affiliations that must be balanced by these organisations.
Our team provides services to educational and training institutions in the following areas.
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia have recently dismissed an accountant’s claims of adverse action and disability discrimination, finding that there was no causal link between the employee’s dismissal and his autism.
Unclear employment terms resulted in a casual relief teacher claiming that she was unfairly dismissed because she had ‘no reason to think’ that her position was only for a fixed term.
A student’s negligence claim against a school following a football game collision has failed due to the school’s proper supervision and safe conduct of the game.