The Abu Dhabi office of international law firm Clyde & Co has advised Cranleigh School, a leading UK independent school founded in 1865, on the commercial structure and operations for its new campus in Abu Dhabi.

Cranleigh School has, in partnership with the Royal Group, entered into agreements with Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC) to develop an elite campus, spanning seven hectares, located in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island. The Clyde & Co team advised Cranleigh on all legal aspects of this project including commercial agreements, protection of intellectual property and structuring of joint venture arrangements.

Currently in schematic design phase, the campus is set to open in late 2014 and will be the largest in the Emirate, designed to accommodate 1,600 pupils aged from 3 to 18 years.

The Clyde & Co team advising Cranleigh was led by corporate partner and head of Clyde & Co’s Abu Dhabi office, Niall O’Toole together with lead senior associates Leopold Zentner and Harriet Balloch.

Anthony Townsend, Chairman of governors at Cranleigh School, said: “The team from Cranleigh School, together with our local partners, the Royal Group, have already forged a close working relationship with colleagues from TDIC. This is an exciting venture and the project has unanimous support from the entire Cranleigh community. I congratulate TDIC’s leadership and efforts; while, in turn, Cranleigh will play its part in delivering a world-class school of which both Saadiyat and Abu Dhabi can be proud.”

On his dealings with the Clyde & Co team, Sam Watkinson, who led the project for Cranleigh School, stated: “Clyde & Co’s experience of the education sector - both practical and legal - was self-evident and vital in enabling us successfully to negotiate the partnership agreement. Throughout the process, the team delivered a first-rate service and added value every step of the way.”

Niall O’Toole commented: “We are delighted to have advised Cranleigh School with this exciting project. Following on the heels of a number of other education providers who have set up UAE operations, this illustrates the attractiveness of the Middle East as a top destination for private education providers and emphasises the high priority placed on education and the development of knowledge based economies by local governments throughout the Middle East region.”

The deal was completed on 18 November 2012.

http://www.clydeco.com/news/articles/clyde-co-advises-cranleigh-school-…