The Times reports that independent schools are starting to get tough with parents who have failed to pay school fees when due - indeed hiring lawyers to chase fees. Bankers and lawyers are advising them how to cope with the financial downturn in general by using tactics common in business but less usual in education such as arranging mergers, cuttting out perks, selling or renting out land, making staff part-time. But they are also focusing on collecting cash from parents by adding to extras and collecting unpaid fees.