Education Law

We act for specialist schools, state schools and independent schools. We offer advice and assistance to Boards of Trustees, Principals, Teachers, Employees, Parents and alternative stakeholders in the education sector.

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Statutory obligations, employment matters and compliance issues can distract Boards of Trustees, Principals and teachers from their core role as educators, consuming teaching time and time with students and the school community. Early intervention is key to managing a problematic situation before it escalates. We provide practical solutions and legal advice to support educators or members of the school community to resolve any of a myriad of disputes that may strike at any time. We specialise in early intervention strategies and alternative dispute resolution. When that is not possible our team led by Heather Murdoch has expertise in:

  • Disciplinary issues and employment disputes
  • Employment law issues and employment relationship problems
  • Statutory and Regulatory compliance, including responsibilities and obligations under the Education and Training Act, Health and Safety at Work Act,
  • Employment Relations Act
  • Regulations and Our Code/Our Standards 
  • Mandatory reports
  • Governance and Management
  • Internal and external workplace investigations
  • Parent concerns and complaints
  • Official Information Act and Privacy Act requests
  • Ombudsman Act complaints
  • Policy and Procedures
  • Stand-downs, suspensions, exclusions and expulsions
  • Medical capacity issues including mental health issues affecting staff and students
  • Health and disability 
  • Facilitation, negotiation and mediation assistance

Ahakoa iti he iti māpihi pounamu

There is a singular beauty and immense value in the tiniest piece of pounamo

Heather Murdoch

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Our education team is led by Heather Murdoch. Heather has over 35 years’ of experience. Through-out her career Heather has specialised in education law, dispute resolution/litigation alternative dispute resolution, employment law and civil litigation. Heather combines expertise in education law with a practical and common sense approach. She is regularly invited  to be a presenter at education conferences and is specialist in skills based workshops.


Principal
LLB (Hons) AAMINZ , ANZELA 
Education | Alternative Dispute Resolution| Employment | Investigations

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