39 Essex Chambers is well-known in education law for its expertise spanning the education sector, from judicial reviews, appeals to the first-tier tribunal and upper tribunal, exclusions and admissions appeals, educational negligence claims, education prosecutions, discrimination and human rights matters, to contractual disputes and employment claims. Steve Broach KC is praised for his ‘second-to-none expertise in relation to all things disability and education’. Rory Dunlop KC appears on behalf of the claimants in SC v Kingston Grammar School, a disability discrimination claim, questioning the rights of schools to remove a child because of their parent’s conduct. Rachel Sullivan acted as junior counsel in R (Sharp) v Office of the School Adjudicator, relating the OSA’s functions when considering complaints about school admissions arrangements.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Steve has second-to-none expertise in relation to all things disability and education. He's tenacious and creative, and a fantastic advocate. Very clear. Able to distil complex issues into compelling submissions.'
- '39 Essex Chambers have a variety of members who all have knowledge and expertise in a variety of areas of law that I work in and I know they can always provide me with appropriate Counsel to assist.'
- 'This is one of the strongest chambers for public law and education work. They have a huge selection of barristers who are all known to be excellent, and a supportive and collaborative working environment.'
- '39 Essex are my go-to chambers. Their clerking team are always helpful and do their best to get alternative counsel. As a set their juniors are of the same quality as other sets silks.'
- 'The set is excellent for all public law, having a great selection of counsel available for all cases.'
Lawyers
Leading silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2023 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
2024 Silks
KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.
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.
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.
