Schools' Legal Services Insurance Scheme

What is it?

This provides a comprehensive legal service to schools with an 'insurance' type scheme. It offers a legal service based upon professional experience and knowledge of specialist areas of law relating to schools. Examples of subject matters upon which we are able to advise schools are:

• assistance with the large volume of statute, direction and guidance issued to schools by the government on education law
• disability discrimination claims and employment disputes that require legal input
• contracts (both when entering into and disputes arising out of)
• nuisance from neighbours/trespassers
• disputes between parents into which schools have been drawn
• troublesome relationships with parents
• property matters (e.g. sales, purchases, tenancies, joint use agreements, etc.)

How much does it cost?

The scheme allows schools to obtain 5 hours of legal advice per year for an upfront annual premium of £350 (plus VAT if payable). If more than 5 hours advice is required by a school subscribing to the scheme, additional legal time will be charged at the hourly rate specified below.
We believe that our low costs and wealth of experience offer the best value for Kent schools.

What are the advantages?

The benefits for schools are that:

• they will ensure that they comply with the law
• readily available practical advice can be given to deal with problems as they arise
• they can gain information about changes in the law which affect them
• the scheme is highly cost effective when compared with the cost of legal services from the private sector, and rates for schools taking part in the scheme will remain lower than those charged to schools who do not
• peace of mind from knowing that an unexpected demand for legal advice can be met without having to making separate budgetary arrangements

What will you get?

The operation of the scheme is based upon the school year, i.e. it starts on 1 September and runs until 31 August in the following year.

• a single 'premium' of £350 (plus VAT if payable) is charged to schools which entitles the school to 5 hours of legal advice and representation during that period. Time spent by KCC Legal services over and above the 5 hours will be charged for at the rate of £87 per hour (plus VAT if payable)
• the single premium will not cover disbursement costs. These are sums actually paid out by KCC in the course of a matter (e.g. costs incurred with third parties such as Counsel, experts, court fees, etc). These will be reimbursed by the school to KCC Legal Services as and when they are incurred.

At the end of the school year rates will be reviewed and schools will be invited to renew for the following year. No refunds are given for unused premiums.

Who to contact?

The work under the scheme will be co-ordinated by Abdus Choudhury, Team Leader within KCC Legal Services. Abdus can be contacted by telephone on 01622 694489 or email Abdus Choudhury.