Shazia Akhtar > Gatehouse Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile

Shazia Akhtar

+44 (0)20 7242 2523 [email protected] View profile View profile

Position

Shazia practises in public and administrative law – including education law, discrimination, community care and human rights. She has a particular interest in the impact of AI within the public sector and associated regulatory bodies and has given seminars in this area.

She also acts for individuals and on behalf of the Official Solicitor within the Court of Protection both in relation to health and welfare and property and affairs.

Her practice also includes commercial work such as contractual disputes, property disputes relating to academies, advising on pensions in the context of local government, judicially reviewing decisions of the Financial Conduct Authority and procurement matters, particularly in relation to public authorities. She has a diverse practice, acting for local authorities; public bodies; NGOs; commercial organisations and individuals.

She has been consistently ranked as a leading junior by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Shazia is a part-time judge sitting in the Educational Tribunal for Wales (ETW), which makes decisions on appeals about special educational needs and disability discrimination.

Shazia is also a qualified mediator (ADR Group).

Where appropriate Shazia is happy to receive instructions on a direct access basis.

Shazia has worked internationally in jurisdictions such as the United Nations in Geneva and Nigeria.

• Shazia is a committee member of the Education Law Association.
• Shazia is an active member of the Middle Temple Talent Retention Committee and is particularly focused upon supporting those who have had career breaks from the Bar.
• She was one of 36 barristers selected for the inaugural Bar Council Leadership Programme.
• Shazia took part in the Bar Standards Board Race Equality Taskforce pilot reverse mentoring scheme, in which she mentored Derek Sweeting KC, former Chair of the Bar. Race Equality Taskforce Reverse Mentoring Scheme (barstandardsboard.org.uk).
• Shazia is Consultant Editor of Halsbury’s Laws of England, Education (Vols 35-36A) 2020.

Career

Called to Bar 2001, Tribunal Judge (Wales) 2022

Shazia is a part-time judge sitting in the Educational Tribunal for Wales (ETW), which makes decisions on appeals about special educational needs and disability discrimination. Shazia is also a qualified mediator (ADR Group).

Languages

Japanese, Urdu.

Memberships

• Administrative Law Bar Association
• Education Law Association
• Human Rights Lawyers Association
• Young International Arbitration Group
• Court of Protection Bar Association

Education

• Bsoc.Sc, University of Manchester
• Dip Law
• BVC
• Benefactor’s Scholar of the Middle Temple
• Mediator (ADR Group)