Tompkins Wake has extensive experience working with schools, universities and other tertiary institutions across New Zealand's education sector, to provide legal and governance advice on strategic and operational matters.

We assist organisations to meet and comply with their responsibilities and duties under the Education Act. Our lawyers regularly provide legal, governance and strategic advice to school Boards of Trustees and senior leadership of tertiary organisations.

Our multi-disciplinary approach provides access to specialists from across the firm, providing clients with expert advice on matters ranging from student discipline to commercial contracts.

Tompkins Wake's employment lawyers are skilled in drafting and reviewing employment agreements and all employment related processes.

We can provide advice and support on disciplinary procedures and issues relating to both domestic and international students in schools and tertiary institutions.

We have experience in advising our clients to navigate complaints and investigations, including with the Office of the Ombudsman and Privacy Commissioner.

Our litigators are highly skilled at resolving disputes and using alternative dispute resolution such as mediation and adjudication. We work to resolve disputes quickly and cost-effectively.

Our property experts regularly assist schools and tertiary institutions with development plans, construction agreements, sale and purchase agreements, building and resource consents, and leases.

We also provide advice on issues arising under legislation relevant to the education sector including to the Official Information Act, Privacy Act, Bill of Rights Act, Human Rights Act, Health and Safety at Work Act, Crown Entities Act, Public Finance Act, State Sector Act and the Defamation Act.

Areas of expertise:

Employment Agreements
Employment Disputes
Health and Safety
Investigations - Health and Safety
Statutory Compliance
Dispute Resolution and Mediation
Education Law
Official Information Act