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Leading Silks

Joanne Clement KC – 11KBWJoanne is very thorough. She is able to identify the key legal issues and marshal those effectively.'
James Goudie KC11KBW 'A leading authority on education law with exceptional client care skills.'
Jonathan Moffett KC11KBWJonathan works excellently within a team of lawyers, providing strong, clear strategic advice in complex and frequently highly nuanced situations. His drafting is also excellent.’
Helen Mountfield KCMatrix ChambersHelen provides authoritative advice on complex Equality Act issues which are at the forefront of public discussion. Her careful analysis enables instructing solicitors and their clients to manage some very sensitive issues.’
Rory Dunlop KC39 Essex Chambers ‘A very strong analyst of evidence and law and a hugely persuasive advocate.’
Sarah Hannett KC Matrix Chambers 'In Sarah's work as an independent investigator of complex and sensitive matters, she works in a supportive yet independent manner as set out in her terms of reference.'
Aileen McColgan KC11KBWAileen has an encyclopaedic knowledge and really in-depth understanding of the law of equality and discrimination as applicable to schools.
Fenella Morris KC39 Essex Chambers 'Fenella is a go-to KC for complex public law issues. She can think through a thorny issue and provide advice with great clarity.'
Mathew Purchase KCMatrix Chambers 'Mathew is a highly experienced counsel. His attention to detail is excellent. He is proficient, highly professional, and empathetic towards clients.'
Fiona Scolding KC  – Landmark Chambers 'Fiona has a wealth of experience in education law and is incredibly knowledgeable on the subject. She has real passion, drive and commitment.'
Andrew Sharland KC11KBW 'Andrew offers clarity in terms of advice and grasps complex factual and legal situations with ease.'

2022 Silks

Galina Ward KC – Landmark ChambersGalina has great judgement and is incredibly responsive. She is brilliant to work with.’

2023 Silks

Katherine Apps KC – 39 Essex ChambersKatherine has an encyclopaedic knowledge and is able to produce advice very quickly.’
Nick Armstrong KC – Matrix Chambers 'Very client-friendly and strategic. Gets to the heart of the case and provides pragmatic advice. Good style of drafting for advice and external correspondence.'
Claire Darwin KCMatrix Chambers ‘Claire is extremely efficient and delivers thorough written advice and submissions with particular skill, showcasing her specialist understanding of education law. She expertly pieces together persuasive arguments.'
Claire Darwin KC – Matrix Chambers 'A real eye for detail and particularly strong on all matters relating to disability discrimination. Her knowledge is exceptional, as is her advocacy. On complex disability discrimination cases there is no one better.'

2024 Silks

Steve Broach KC39 Essex Chambers 'Steve is a unique barrister. He is highly approachable and has boundless enthusiasm and energy to seek out and support strategic litigation. He is conscientious, astute, and very wise. His drafting and advocacy are of a consistently high standard.'

Leading Juniors

Tom Cross11KBW 'Tom is unbeatable in his knowledge and understanding of education and equalities law. He is both brilliant and brilliant to work with.'
David LawsonSerjeants’ Inn ChambersDavid is probably the best barrister those who instruct him have ever worked with. He works incredibly hard and sees details in a case that most people would miss.’
Laith DilaimiOld Square ChambersLaith is an excellent speaker, his written work is fantastic, he is approachable and great to work with, and he is exceptional at understanding the key issues quickly.
Katherine Eddy11KBWKatherine is hugely knowledgeable, practical, pragmatic, clear, and strategic in her advice. She is a master at navigating legal risk and achieving the right outcome for her clients.’
Leon Glenister  – Landmark ChambersLeon is one of the best of his generation in education law.
Charlotte Hadfield3PB 'Charlotte is extremely knowledgeable, clam under pressure, and a sophisticated advocate. Her expertise in special educational needs matters is unrivalled, and she is greatly respected by peers and the judiciary alike.'
Jennifer Thelen39 Essex ChambersA very hardworking junior who never lets you down.’
Emma Waldron3PBEmma is a joy to work with. She is incredibly professional. Her knowledge of the law in all things SEND tribunal is second-to-none, and her advice is always very clearly explained and accurate.’
Jennifer Agyekum3PBJennifer is approachable and knowledgeable. Her calm demeanour puts clients at ease. She has strong advocacy skills.’
Shazia AkhtarGatehouse ChambersShazia is wonderful to work with – she is very experienced and her knowledge of SEN law is very impressive.’
Alice de Coverley3PB 'Alice is an exceptional barrister who quickly establishes a relationship of trust and confidence with her clients. She can get to the root of complex issues with speed and ease.'
Zoe Gannon11KBWZoe is incredibly hardworking and proactive. Her ability to strike the right tone in client communications is second-to-none. You know you will be properly looked after if Zoe is working for you.’
Gráinne MellonGarden Court ChambersGráinne is unflappable; she is a calm and persuasive advocate who isn’t thrown by unexpected developments. Her advice is clear, pragmatic and helpful.’
Louise PriceDoughty Street Chambers 'Louise's advice is always thorough and clear, demonstrating her exceptional knowledge and experience in education law.'
Sarah Steinhardt – Doughty Street ChambersSarah knows the Equality Act inside out, particularly in the context of education law. She is a creative thinker and is excellent with clients.
Katherine Anderson3PBKatherine is forensic in her approach. She looks at all angles and considers all options. A very diligent advocate. ’
Katherine Barnes39 Essex ChambersKatherine is a pleasure to work with; she is extremely bright, hardworking and gives clear and sensible advice. She is a brilliant advocate.’
Aimee Fox3PBAimee’s knowledge of the family court, that forum's understanding of special educational needs law, and the overlapping issues is second-to-none.
Rhys HaddenSerjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Rhys is very knowledgeable and experienced concerning SEN and education matters.’
Shu Shin LuhDoughty Street ChambersShu Shin is a force of nature. She is incredible and incredibly responsive to queries on cases and has fantastic judgement.
Imogen Proud  – Monckton Chambers ‘Imogen knows education law in enormous detail. She is very diligent and hard-working, and her written output is always first-rate.’
Hannah Slarks – 11KBWAn excellent lawyer who is very intelligent and always on top of the details. When advising, she provides principled and proper advice, and when investigating, she is always impartial and does not shy away from difficult issues.
Matthew Wyard3PBMatthew is quick to get to the crux of a case and exhibits particular expertise in cases involving special educational needs. His ability to look at a case from all sides is a particular strength.’

Rising Stars

Raphael Hogarth – 11KBWRaphael is extremely responsive, sensible, and quick to get on top of the issues at short notice. He provides very commercial and practical advice.’
Ben Mitchell – 11KBWBen's advocacy is very calm and considered. He thinks quickly and clearly on his feet and presents his case excellently. He is a joy to watch in the court room.
Ollie PerseyGarden Court ChambersOllie is extremely talented in forming creative arguments to achieve results for clients. He is an incredibly quick thinker, thorough, flexible and readily available when required.’
Jake Rylatt – Serjeants’ Inn ChambersJake is a very good advocate. He has a good understanding of how to read the room and adapt his advocacy style to suit the particular requirements of the court on the day.’

Education in London Bar

11KBW


Barristers at 11KBW have an excellent reputation for their wide-ranging experience acting for the likes of the University and Colleges Union and the Department for Education, who instruct the set to handle the full gamut of cases in education law. Aileen McColgan represented the University of Bristol in a disability discrimination appeal following the suicide of a student after a county court found that the university had breached its duty to make reasonable adjustments to its assessment arrangements, while Tom Cross acted for the Secretary of State for Education in a judicial review concerning the Government’s educational responsibility in cases where a child with special educational needs moves abroad with a diplomat parent. Katherine Eddy is noted for her ability to represent schools and local authorities in educational discrimination and negligence claims.

Si linguam tuam Latinam ostentare vis, ius saltem expone!

 

Testimonials

‘Harry Gilsom and Iva Stipanovic are very helpful individuals who smooth the process of instruction and go out of their way to assist.’

‘Extremely professional, friendly and helpful clerking team. Mark Dann and Lucy Barbett are excellent as always, and Lee Cutler is also very helpful.’

‘Clerking is good and well managed. Senior clerks and practice managers take care to ensure that they come to listen to any issues that we may have and provide a clear and transparent route through which we can raise issues.’

‘Mark Dann and Lee Cutler are the best in the game. Knowledgeable, hugely responsive and always willing to go the extra mile. They are the dream team and so valuable and valued to their instructing solicitors.’

‘We have used 11KBW for a variety of matters and have found them approachable and adept.’

‘Excellent set with high reputation in education in particular.’

’11KBW is excellent. The strength in depth is second to none, and you know you are in safe hands when you instruct one of their barristers.’

’11KBW has a well deserved reputation as one of the best sets for education specialists.’

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39 Essex Chambers


39 Essex Chambers is a ‘well-known specialist public law set’ with a particular presence acting in judicial reviews and tribunal claims at the intersection of health care and education law. Fenella Morris KC frequently acts for clients in negligence and breach of contract claims, while in R (T) v Secretary of State for Education, Rory Dunlop KC defeated a judicial review brought by non-working parents to the government’s pledge of fully-funded childcare for three and four-year olds; the claimants argued that the policy was discriminatory under Article 14 of the ECHR. At the junior level, Steve Broach KC regularly exhibits the set’s strength in SEND matters by acting in tribunal claims and judicial reviews for children with special educational needs, while Jennifer Thelen has been active in judicial reviews related to school exclusions and disability discrimination.

Testimonials

‘The clerks are professional, friendly and respond in a timely manner. Anthony King is particularly helpful and does his utmost to secure us with appropriate Counsel as quickly as possible.’

‘Peter Campbell is excellent.’

‘The clerks’ room is excellent. I’ve found them to be very responsive and eager to assist. In particular, I’ve dealt a lot with Oscar Redif and Sheraton Doyle, who are both supremely helpful and lovely people.’

’39 Essex is a strong set with high levels of expertise in a number of areas, including public law.’

’39 Essex has a very good depth and breadth of counsel.’

’39 is regarded as one of the top calibre chambers for public law. Its members are prestigious, with very high profiles.’

 

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Matrix Chambers


Matrix Chambers is noted for its wide-reaching expertise in education law, with a growing reputation for acting in case law-shaping cases for schools, universities, individuals, and governmental bodies. Recent highlights include David Wolfe KC‘s appearance challenging the Government’s conversion of London’s Holland Park School into part of a multi-academy trust, with notable implications for the national academisation program. Sarah Hannett KC advised the University of Essex on a high-profile threatened judicial review surrounding the university's harassment policies. Daniel Squires KC conducted a noteworthy investigation into an independent school’s teaching of politically sensitive issues, while Helen Mountfield KC represented a visually impaired student in a race and disability discrimination claim against the Oxford Union after he was removed from a debate by security staff. The set’s profile was further bolstered with Claire Darwin KC and Nick Armstrong KC taking silk in 2023.

Testimonials

‘The clerks are helpful and responsive.’

‘Elizabeth Bousher is always efficient and personable.’

‘The clerks are always polite, proficient, and helpful.’

‘A set with a strong reputation in education law. Many of its members have now taken silk, so it has real strength at the senior end.’

‘Matrix is a stand-out set with a wealth of high profile barristers who are exceptional leaders in their field.’

‘A go-to chambers for education and public law work.’

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3PB


3PB‘s education specialists are well-regarded for their understanding of education matters, with particular experience acting in tribunal claims and judicial reviews related to SEND matters and academic and disciplinary decisions in schools and universities. Charlotte Hadfield is noted for her expertise acting in claims concerning student and parent matters, including disability discrimination claims and SEND Tribunal appeals. Emma Waldron notably acted for a childminder in successfully appealing an Ofsted suspension notice, and Alice de Coverley successfully represented the respondent in the London Borough of Croydon v K-A (SEN) Upper Tribunal appeal, a widely reported case that sided with parents when weighing the healthcare benefits of a school placement against the public cost to the council.

Testimonials

‘Chris Mitchell is the stand-out clerk in the team. His knowledge of the area is impressive, and he is extremely responsive.’

‘3PB’s clerks provide a high level of support and ensure the information we provide gets to the right barristers every time. They are the lifeblood of the operation.’

‘Gemma Faulkner at 3PB does an incredible job managing a number of barristers and dealing effectively with a number of instructions at any one time, in a professional and charming way.’

‘The education team is fantastic and offers comprehensive and pragmatic advice.’

‘3PB is an excellent set of barristers, particularly for education law.’

‘A very strong education set with counsel always available for support, no matter the level of complexity.’

‘A strong set with numerous quality barristers within the area of Education law.’

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