11KBW is widely recognised for its excellent track record in handling the full range of education law matters. Among recent instructions, Andrew Sharland KC acted for an education charity in R v Secretary of State for Education and the LB of Lambeth, concerning the council’s alleged failure to provide compensation for the transfer of property where the charity had previously a school. Tom Cross acted for the claimant in a case challenging advice provided by a local authority to schools on teaching of matters pertaining to gender and sex. Katherine Eddy fields particular expertise in handling high-profile discrimination claims brought against universities. The senior end of the team was further bolstered by Joanne Clement KC taking silk in March 2022.
Education in
London Bar11KBW
Testimonials
Set
‘11KBW is a great set with phenomenally good barristers. ’
‘A very well known education law set with highly experienced members. ’
‘11KBW is my go-to set for higher education law instructions. ’
‘A very strong education chambers, certainly one of the best.’
‘11KBW is a set with huge strength and depth when it comes to education matters. ’
Clerks
‘The clerks were responsive.’
‘Lee Cutler is particularly helpful and prompt to respond. ’
‘I found the clerks to be very engaging and thorough, highlighting Mark Dann in particular. ’
‘Mike Smith provides a very high standard of service. ’
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers‘ education team has an excellent reputation, with a solid track record in acting for a client base that includes the Department of Education, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, individual students, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and other statutory bodies. The set has seen an uptick in work involving universities and further education colleges. In recent work, David Wolfe KC acted in Goodred v Portsmouth City Council, a challenge to the legality of the Council’s policy and approach to parents who choose to home educate their children. In another matter, Sarah Hannett KC appeared for the local authority in R (WC) v Somerset County Council, which established the correct legal test applicable when closing a rural school. At the junior end, Claire Darwin appeared as sole counsel for the successful claimants in Gwynedd Council v Barratt and another, a Court of Appeal decision clarifying the duties of local authorities, particularly duties towards teachers who are directly employed by the authorities, when reorganising schools.
Testimonials
Set
‘A very good set, particularly knowledgeable in this area. ’
‘Matrix Chambers has a deservedly stellar reputation. ’
‘The set is very professional and multi-disciplinary. The standard of work is fantastic and chambers often hosts useful seminars which are well pitched to the sector that it serves, with impressive speakers and themes. ’
Clerks
‘Excellent clerks. Elizabeth Bousher is extremely helpful. ’
‘The clerks are efficient, flexible and accommodating, always going the extra mile to make counsel available. ’
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers stands out for its ‘excellent‘ education offering. At the silk end, Fenella Morris KC‘s workload includes advising on challenges to awarded degrees, refusals in admissions and negligence and breach of contact claims in universities. At the junior end of chambers, recent work includes Steve Broach and Jack Anderson appearing in R (L, M, P) v Devon County Council, a case concerning the issue as to whether there is a fixed time limit for local authorities to complete reviews of EHCPs.
Testimonials
Set
‘39 Essex has a wide depth of barristers with strong knowledge of education law; the training programmes and webinars are also excellent. ’
‘A fantastic set of chambers. ’
Clerks
‘Andy Poyser is always available, responsive and willing to cut cloth to what we need. ’
‘Anthony King is very helpful and efficient. Michael Kaplan has excellent client care skills.’
‘The clerks are great, very polite and quick to respond. ’
3PB
3PB's practice is home to 'genuine specialists in education law'. Members act on a wide range of education matters including SEND cases, admissions and exclusions, and discrimination issues. Team head Charlotte Hadfield appeared in a case clarifying the statutory expectation for a local authority regarding an EHCP. In another matter, Alice de Coverley acted for the claimant in Raquel Rosario Sanchez v Bristol University, a high-profile case concerning whether a university owed duty of care to a PhD student facing bullying from other students.
Testimonials
Set
‘3PB has a number of strong education law barristers in the set.’
‘There is always counsel available, even in those last minute cases as the set will often bend over backwards to find somebody suitable.’
‘Great for SEND Tribunal work.’
Clerks
‘Chris Mitchell is a fantastic clerk; his communication is direct and fast and he is very accommodating to specific requests. ’
‘The service from the clerks is always professional and helpful. Both Tom Cox and Gemma Faulkner provide timely responses and clearly have a good understanding of the barrister’s strengths. ’
‘Gemma Faulkner is the single most organised and meticulous person I have ever encountered. It quite extraordinary how detail-orientated she is.’
11KBW
Testimonials
Set
‘11KBW is a great set with phenomenally good barristers. ’
‘A very well known education law set with highly experienced members. ’
‘11KBW is my go-to set for higher education law instructions. ’
‘A very strong education chambers, certainly one of the best.’
‘11KBW is a set with huge strength and depth when it comes to education matters. ’
Clerks
‘The clerks were responsive.’
‘Lee Cutler is particularly helpful and prompt to respond. ’
‘I found the clerks to be very engaging and thorough, highlighting Mark Dann in particular. ’
‘Mike Smith provides a very high standard of service. ’
Matrix Chambers
Matrix Chambers‘ education team has an excellent reputation, with a solid track record in acting for a client base that includes the Department of Education, the Equality and Human Rights Commission, individual students, the Office of the Independent Adjudicator and other statutory bodies. The set has seen an uptick in work involving universities and further education colleges. In recent work, David Wolfe KC acted in Goodred v Portsmouth City Council, a challenge to the legality of the Council’s policy and approach to parents who choose to home educate their children. In another matter, Sarah Hannett KC appeared for the local authority in R (WC) v Somerset County Council, which established the correct legal test applicable when closing a rural school. At the junior end, Claire Darwin appeared as sole counsel for the successful claimants in Gwynedd Council v Barratt and another, a Court of Appeal decision clarifying the duties of local authorities, particularly duties towards teachers who are directly employed by the authorities, when reorganising schools.
Testimonials
Set
‘A very good set, particularly knowledgeable in this area. ’
‘Matrix Chambers has a deservedly stellar reputation. ’
‘The set is very professional and multi-disciplinary. The standard of work is fantastic and chambers often hosts useful seminars which are well pitched to the sector that it serves, with impressive speakers and themes. ’
Clerks
‘Excellent clerks. Elizabeth Bousher is extremely helpful. ’
‘The clerks are efficient, flexible and accommodating, always going the extra mile to make counsel available. ’
39 Essex Chambers
39 Essex Chambers stands out for its ‘excellent‘ education offering. At the silk end, Fenella Morris KC‘s workload includes advising on challenges to awarded degrees, refusals in admissions and negligence and breach of contact claims in universities. At the junior end of chambers, recent work includes Steve Broach and Jack Anderson appearing in R (L, M, P) v Devon County Council, a case concerning the issue as to whether there is a fixed time limit for local authorities to complete reviews of EHCPs.
Testimonials
Set
‘39 Essex has a wide depth of barristers with strong knowledge of education law; the training programmes and webinars are also excellent. ’
‘A fantastic set of chambers. ’
Clerks
‘Andy Poyser is always available, responsive and willing to cut cloth to what we need. ’
‘Anthony King is very helpful and efficient. Michael Kaplan has excellent client care skills.’
‘The clerks are great, very polite and quick to respond. ’
3PB
3PB's practice is home to 'genuine specialists in education law'. Members act on a wide range of education matters including SEND cases, admissions and exclusions, and discrimination issues. Team head Charlotte Hadfield appeared in a case clarifying the statutory expectation for a local authority regarding an EHCP. In another matter, Alice de Coverley acted for the claimant in Raquel Rosario Sanchez v Bristol University, a high-profile case concerning whether a university owed duty of care to a PhD student facing bullying from other students.
Testimonials
Set
‘3PB has a number of strong education law barristers in the set.’
‘There is always counsel available, even in those last minute cases as the set will often bend over backwards to find somebody suitable.’
‘Great for SEND Tribunal work.’
Clerks
‘Chris Mitchell is a fantastic clerk; his communication is direct and fast and he is very accommodating to specific requests. ’
‘The service from the clerks is always professional and helpful. Both Tom Cox and Gemma Faulkner provide timely responses and clearly have a good understanding of the barrister’s strengths. ’
‘Gemma Faulkner is the single most organised and meticulous person I have ever encountered. It quite extraordinary how detail-orientated she is.’