Education

Leading Juniors
Rising stars

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

David Lawson

Serjeants' Inn Chambers

The first thing that strikes you about David Lawson is his intelligence. He is softly spoken, but you can tell his mind is working at light speed. He is a barrister who can connect the dots on complex cases, absorbing information at a high rate, formulating excellent arguments very quickly, and is a practitioner whom you know the judge will listen to.

Hannah Slarks

A brilliant public lawyer and excellent advocate. Always a safe pair of hands. Particularly adept at education cases.

Alice de Coverley

Alice is a fantastic advocate. Her attention to detail is second to none, and I always instruct her on my cases that need an in-depth knowledge of the law, but also particular care and sensitivity with my clients in terms of client management. She is excellent at this. Alice is a very reliable barrister whom I instruct often and have no issues recommending to clients.

Raj Desai

Matrix Chambers

Laith Dilaimi

Old Square Chambers

He secured a strong procedural outcome for the defendant, including successfully resisting the claimant’s interim application and ensuring the case proceeded on an appropriate timetable. He is measured, responsive, and a pleasure to work with, demonstrating sound judgment and a strong grasp of both the legal and tactical issues in a complex and sensitive claim.

John Friel

John is a household name when it comes to Education Law. I instruct John on my most complex cases. He is excellent at seeing the flaws in the case and offering solutions to try and achieve the client's outcomes. John is a very reliable barrister whom I instruct often and have no issues recommending to clients. It is a privilege for my career to work with him.

Zoe Gannon

Zoe understands higher education better than just about anyone. She is the go-to for sensitive education law cases. It is great to collaborate with her.

Paul Greatorex

Emma Waldron

Jennifer Agyekum

Jennifer Agyekum is an exceptionally knowledgeable advocate whose expertise and command of the law inspire confidence from the outset. Her advice is consistently clear, practical, and well-reasoned, enabling clients to understand complex issues and make informed decisions. One of Jennifer’s standout qualities is her calm and measured manner. She has a reassuring presence that comes across particularly well to both parents and the Tribunal, helping to diffuse tension while maintaining a strong and effective advocacy style. She also possesses an exceptional eye for detail. I have seen her identify and successfully argue a point on behalf of a parent that had not been recognized or considered by anyone else involved in the proceedings. Her meticulous preparation and analytical ability can make a decisive difference to the outcome of a case. Overall, Jennifer combines legal excellence with sound judgment, careful attention to detail, and an empathetic approach to clients, making her a highly effective and impressive practitioner.

Jack Anderson

39 Essex Chambers

Katherine Anderson

I have worked with Katherine Anderson on a number of education law matters, primarily SEND Tribunal disability discrimination claims and associated case management proceedings. Much of our work together has involved complex, document-heavy tribunal litigation, including drafting responses to claims, advising on strategy (including strike-out considerations), preparing witness evidence, and attending conferences and hearings.

Katherine Eddy

Charlotte Hadfield

Charlotte Hadfield is an outstanding barrister with particular strength in education law and SEND matters. She is highly knowledgeable, pragmatic, and meticulous, and she combines strong advocacy with excellent client care. She is calm, reassuring, and very effective in handling complex cases.

Alexander Line

Outer Temple Chambers

Ability to identify key legal issues; clarity of communication with clients; ability to sift through extensive evidence and identify key evidence for legal points to be made; level-headedness.

Gráinne Mellon

Garden Court Chambers

Louise Price

Doughty Street Chambers

Louise is approachable, pragmatic, and an expert in her field.

Jennifer Thelen

39 Essex Chambers

Shazia Akhtar

Gatehouse Chambers

Shazia has an exceptional eye for detail, and we work closely with her in the run-up to the hearing to ensure a comprehensive strategic approach to our most complex cases. Her advocacy is flawless, leaving parents with the knowledge that their case has been represented to the very highest standard at the point when it matters most. Her knowledge of SEN law and how this interrelates to health and welfare issues is exceptional and invaluable in cases involving complex children and young people.

Katherine Barnes

39 Essex Chambers

Very impressive - thorough in her approach, a real focus on claimant work, and persuasive in her advocacy.

Oscar Davies

Garden Court Chambers

Oscar is very knowledgeable when it comes to education law, with particular strengths in exclusion and discrimination.

Aimee Fox

Mark Greaves

Matrix Chambers

Mark is a brilliant and highly dependable barrister, whose advocacy is consistently clear, persuasive, and effective. He communicates arguments with precision and confidence, making complex issues easy to understand. In addition, he is exceptionally good with clients—approachable, attentive, and able to build strong professional relationships grounded in trust.

Rhys Hadden

Serjeants' Inn Chambers

Quite simply, Rhys remains top of the speed dial list and is the 'go-to' Counsel across health, education, and care matters. Rhys is also someone who I can suggest, without any hesitation, when colleagues and peers in the industry ask for recommendations for Counsel to instruct. Rhys's advocacy is crystal clear, calm, yet cuts to the issues at the heart of the matter. Rhys is an effective problem solver, yet his manner is refreshingly collaborative and empowering.

Siân McGibbon

Landmark Chambers

Ben Mitchell

Ben Mitchell has an excellent way of building rapport with clients and understanding the issues that are central to them in any case. His drafting is absolutely first-rate and his advocacy is excellent. He always has an eye on the commercial implications of the cases he works on, which is extremely helpful when working on something tricky.

Jane Oldham

Exceptionally prompt and clear in her advice. Jane made herself available at very short notice as required as events escalated.

Ollie Persey

Garden Court Chambers

We regularly instruct Ollie in complex judicial reviews and civil claims, including those with an element of education, community care, discrimination, LGBTQ+ issues, and especially cases with a strategic focus. Ollie has a unique enthusiasm and passion for the work he does and has quickly established himself as a leading junior in his field. He is outstanding: fiercely intelligent, very hardworking, extremely well prepared, and has a unique ability to relate to clients. He has sound judgment and is a collaborative and reliable barrister with whom it is always a pleasure to work.

Anna Tkaczynska

Serjeants' Inn Chambers

Excellent written work, pragmatic, great with clients, and responsive.

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Matthew Wyard

39 Essex Chambers

Matthew's advocacy in terms of presentation skills in client conferences is considered and thoughtful. He is able to identify key themes and explore issues with clients in a sympathetic manner. Matthew's drafting skills (written submissions/skeleton arguments) are good. He is prompt and his drafting output is clear.

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.

Monique Bouffé

Outer Temple Chambers

Counsel is always quick to understand outstanding issues to be argued. Counsel is well prepared and demonstrates a relevant understanding of the legislation and is always measured during proceedings. A collaborative and friendly approach.

Flora Curtis

39 Essex Chambers

Raphael Hogarth

Alice Irving

Doughty Street Chambers

Alice Irving’s strengths are her exceptional technical ability, strategic approach, and clear, persuasive advocacy. She is meticulous and very well prepared, with a strong grasp of complex legal and factual issues. She is calm and has the ability to build trust with clients, including vulnerable clients, through a compassionate and empathetic manner, providing sensible and pragmatic advice.

Eleanor Leydon

39 Essex Chambers

Very impressive as a junior barrister. Very thorough in her approach, great with clients, and dedicated to this area of law.

Nadia O’Mara

Garden Court Chambers

Nadia has performed brilliantly on a couple of permanent exclusion matters we have instructed her on. She is bright, hardworking, and focused, always keeping the client’s objectives in mind.

Katy Sheridan

Matrix Chambers

Katy has been an absolute star. She is also always more than willing to answer questions and generally goes out of her way to support clients through what is inevitably a very stressful time, which is hugely appreciated.

Rachel Sullivan

39 Essex Chambers

Roisin Swords-Kieley

Matrix Chambers

Roisin provides pragmatic and robust advice. In particular, she is experienced in dealing with complex cases involving litigants in person and takes a strategic approach that achieves the best outcome for the client.

Naomi Webber