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Geldards LLP Geldards LLP

Thomas Emmett

Partner

5.0
| 7 Reviews

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Thomas Emmett is a Partner and Head of Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Education Team in the London office. He is a “Next Generation Partner” (Legal 500 2025) who specialises in advising the education sector on education law (including SEND law), corporate and commercial law, employment law, equality law and regulatory law. Thomas acts for educational institutions including maintained schools, single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts, independent schools, further education and higher education institutions from across the country. His education sector clients have described him as a “trusted advisor” (Legal 500 2025) who is “extremely knowledgeable” (Legal 500 2023). He has a “…thorough knowledge of how schools operate and the unique requirements within the sector” (Legal 500 2025).His expertise in advising educational institutions has been recognised by the EducationInvestor Awards 2025, where he was a finalist in the Legal Advisor of the Year to Educational Institutions category. Thomas also acts for parents, carers and young people and has acted on complex education law matters, particularly in the area of SEND law. He has been successful in securing “waking day curriculums” delivered at independent residential placements such as The Mount Camphill Community and Beaumont College. He has also secured the naming of highly specialist independent, ordinary independent and mainstream schools in EHCPs. Prior to specialising in assisting stakeholders in the education sector, Thomas advised the private sector in commercial, corporate, banking and regulatory matters. He has advised on multi million-pound banking facilities acting for both borrowers and lenders, and on high value company acquisitions and disposals. He was described in the Legal 500 2022 as “excellent in providing professional services in the corporate field”.

Geldards LLP Geldards LLP

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 600964

  • Based in Cardiff, South Glamorgan

  • Licensed for 8 years

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

Geldards LLP Geldards LLP

Thomas Emmett is a Partner and Head of Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Education Team in the London office. He is a “Next Generation Partner” (Legal 500 2025) who specialises in advising the education sector on education law (including SEND law), corporate and commercial law, employment law, equality law and regulatory law. Thomas acts for educational institutions including maintained schools, single academy trusts, multi-academy trusts, independent schools, further education and higher education institutions from across the country. His education sector clients have described him as a “trusted advisor” (Legal 500 2025) who is “extremely knowledgeable” (Legal 500 2023). He has a “…thorough knowledge of how schools operate and the unique requirements within the sector” (Legal 500 2025).His expertise in advising educational institutions has been recognised by the EducationInvestor Awards 2025, where he was a finalist in the Legal Advisor of the Year to Educational Institutions category. Thomas also acts for parents, carers and young people and has acted on complex education law matters, particularly in the area of SEND law. He has been successful in securing “waking day curriculums” delivered at independent residential placements such as The Mount Camphill Community and Beaumont College. He has also secured the naming of highly specialist independent, ordinary independent and mainstream schools in EHCPs. Prior to specialising in assisting stakeholders in the education sector, Thomas advised the private sector in commercial, corporate, banking and regulatory matters. He has advised on multi million-pound banking facilities acting for both borrowers and lenders, and on high value company acquisitions and disposals. He was described in the Legal 500 2022 as “excellent in providing professional services in the corporate field”.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 600964

  • Based in Cardiff, South Glamorgan

  • Licensed for 8 years

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Thomas Emmett

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5.0
Excellent
7 Reviews
95%+
Value for
Money
95%+
Success
Rate
95%+
Would
Recommend
Communication 5.0/5
Initial Impressions 5.0/5
Approachability 5.0/5
Documentation Accuracy 5.0/5
Legal Knowledge 5.0/5
Value for money 5.0/5
Expertise
Education

Experience

  • Birkett Long LLP

    Solicitor

    February 2023 - Present 3 years and 4 months

Contact

020 7921 3987
thomas.emmett@geldards.com
https://www.geldards.com/our-people/thomas-emmett/

Opening hours

Monday 08:00–18:00
Tuesday 08:00–18:00
Wednesday 08:00–18:00
Thursday 08:00–18:00
Friday 08:00–18:00
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (Closed)

4 Capital Quarter, Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF10 4BZ

Reviews

5.0 /5 7 Reviews
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    Profile image of C H

    C H

    Education

    Professional expert advice, great communication, and results focused

    Thomas Emmett and the Birkett Long team were chosen over 2 other legal firms to represent my daughter. Our case, which ran over a prolonged period, concluded at the SEND Tribunal with a positive outcome for my daughter's special educational needs. Thomas not only possessed deep expertise but more importantly shown great levels of interpersonal and communication skills. He was attentive to client's needs and highly responsive. 5 star for client and stakeholder management. The overall engagement experience had been delightful. I highly recommend Thomas Emmett to any family that are seeking professional support on Education matters.

    Solicitors tagged in
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    legal expert Thomas Emmett Thomas Emmett

    A representative from Knights Professional Services Limited responded to this review

    Thank you for your recommendation of Thomas Emmett. We are happy to hear of your positive experience. Sincerely, Birkett Long

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    Profile image of Yvonne

    Yvonne

    Education

    Tenacity and Compassion are a powerful combination

    I chose Birkett Long because of their excellent track record in winning Educational Tribunals, and from day 1 Thomas understood exactly what this meant to me. Having previously been let down by another law firm which cost me over £30k in legal fees and a lost tribunal with my daughter stuck in an unsuitable provision I was understandably stressed and worried, not just about my daughter's desperate need for an education but also about the financial burden this fight was putting on me and my family. Thomas' worked tirelessly to counter the council's slap dash approach to progress, pushing them time and again to meet the deadlines set and providing a detailed breakdown of where we were with the EHCP Working document each time it came back, he coped with my frustration at the council's continued excuses and never lost focus. The council finally backed down with a week until the tribunal and without the need for expert witnesses. I can't recommend Thomas highly enough, he has achieved something I had stopped believing was possible, and my daughter finally has a residential placement in a college entirely suited to her needs with an EHCP so specific that the council and ICB are not going to have a chance of moving her before she is ready to move on herself.

    Solicitors tagged in
    this review

    legal expert Thomas Emmett Thomas Emmett

    A representative from Knights Professional Services Limited responded to this review

    Dear Yvonne, It is wonderful to hear that Thomas made such an impact to you and your family. We are happy to hear that your daughter is placed in residential placement in a college suited to her needs. Thank you for your recommendation. Sincerely, Birkett long.

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    Profile image of CB

    CB

    Education

    Exceptional Service

    We would like to thank Thomas for all of his help in securing a placement for our child at our school of preference. We have no doubt that we would have been in a much different position had Thomas not completed our appeal paperwork to such a high standard. Thank you for completing the forms so expeditiously, especially as you were on leave at the time that we sought to submit them.

    Solicitors tagged in
    this review

    legal expert Thomas Emmett Thomas Emmett

    A representative from Knights Professional Services Limited responded to this review

    Hello, Thank you for your kind words. We are glad to hear of Tom's assistance, and your child's placement. Sincerely, Birkett Long.

    0
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    Profile image of Sarah F

    Sarah F

    Verified
    Education

    Highly Recommend Thomas

    Thomas has been really helpful throughout an education matter I instructed him on. I’ve really felt he was in my corner and I couldn’t have done it without him.

    Solicitors tagged in
    this review

    legal expert Thomas Emmett Thomas Emmett

    A representative from Knights Professional Services Limited responded to this review

    Dear Sarah, Thank you for your kind words. We are happy to hear of Tom's invaluable support. Sincerely, Birkett Long.

    0
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    Profile image of Emma

    Emma

    Education

    Supportive

    Thomas was outstanding in communicating in a timely manner with both school and the LA. The LA named school without due consideration of the use of resources or impact on others; Thomas clearly outlined this and as a result, the decision was changed. Professional service from beginning to end.

    Solicitors tagged in
    this review

    legal expert Thomas Emmett Thomas Emmett

    A representative from Knights Professional Services Limited responded to this review

    Dear Emma, Thank you for your review of Thomas. We are happy to hear of the positive outcome, and support you felt. Sincerely, Birkett Long

    0
    Collected on: ReviewSolicitor collection source logo

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