
- Tel:
- Work 020 8349 7700
- Fax:
- Fax 020 8349 7709
- Email:
Douglas Silas
- Tel:
- Work 020 8349 7700
- Email:
Work Department
Education.
Position
CHAMBERS & PARTNERS PROFILE FOR WEBSITE – JULY 2016
Douglas specialises exclusively in SEN and has done so successfully for over 20+ years. He is widely respected and both nationally and internationally recognised as a leading expert in his field. His website www.SpecialEducationalNeeds.co.uk is also nationally recognised and regularly gets 50,000-100,000+ visitors/month!
Douglas has advised & represented thousands of parents of children/young people with SEN/Disability and trained a wide variety of people over many years. Douglas is also the author of ‘A Guide To The SEND Code of Practice’ [updated for 2017/18], which is published as an eBook.
Douglas and his team have won numerous awards over many years, including ‘SEN Law Firm Of The Year’, ‘Education Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year’ (both in England and the UK)’, 'Innnovative Lawyer', 'Superior Laywer' and ‘Niche Law Firm of the Year’.
Douglas has also been shortlisted twice by the Law Society for its prestigious award of ‘Solicitor of the Year (Private Practice)’ and was the first ever winner of the ‘Outstanding Achievement’ award at the Modern Law awards.
Douglas is also physically disabled and a wheelchair-user. In recent years, he has become well-known for cycling a specially-modified trike to raise money for Norwood, a charity for children with disabilities. In 2011, he rode 380km across southern Israel. In 2012, he rode 420km across Sri Lanka. In 2013, he rode 380km across northern Israel and then 450km across Madagascar back to back! In 2014, 2015 and 2016 he did further international rides and is currently planning to complete another one at the end of 2017.
Douglas has so far raised over £150,000 for charity. In November 2012, he was named an ‘Unsung Hero’ by the charity, Jewish Care. In November 2014, Douglas was also given a 'Points of Light' award by the (then) Prime Minister, David Cameron, in recognition of him being an outstanding volunteer in the UK.
Career
Trained Levenes 1995; qualified 1997; associate Alexander Harris 2002; established Douglas Silas Solicitors 2005.
Languages
British Sign Language (BSL).
Member
Education Law Association; Administrative Law Bar Association; Lawyers with Disabilities Division.
Education
John Lyon School, Harrow; South Bank University (LL.B (Hons), winner of Sweet & Maxwell Law Prize for graduating in first place); College of Law, London (Diploma in Legal Practice).
London: Public sector
Education: individuals
Within: Education: individuals
Douglas Silas Solicitors is known for its specialism in advising on special educational needs (SEN). Founding director Douglas Silas has huge experience assisting the parents of children and young people with SEN and disabilities, particularly in more challenging cases, and frequently advises parents as their children move through the education system. Silas has notable expertise acting for children with autism, ADHD, cerebral palsy, Downâs syndrome, dyslexia and dyspraxia. He assists with the whole SEN process, from requesting an assessment through to appeals to the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal.
Education: schools
Within: Leading individuals
Douglas Silas - Douglas Silas Solicitors