11KBW is well-versed in education cases from nursery to university. Members are instructed on matters concerning matters concerning issues including funding and allocations, as well a number of recent instructions concerning gender-questioning children. Tom Cross KC represented the Free Speech Union in its proposed judicial review of the government’s decision to not commence the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023 – before the hearing the government announced that it would bring most of the legislation into force. Hannah Slarks appeared in for the defendant school in R (EBB and Others) v The Gorse Academy Trust, concerning if sanctioning children by isolating them in booths to work all day silently interferes with the children’s Article 8 human right to private life – the High Court rules that it does not.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

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.

Peter Oldham KC

Peter really is exemplary. His knowledge is extensive, he is incredibly helpful and responsive. Peter's written work is very thorough but always to the point. Importantly, Peter is also super approachable and his advice is very accessible to the clients. Having recently had the opportunity to attend the High Court with Peter, his advocacy is much like his approach generally: concise, intelligent, and to the point.

James Goudie KC

Jonathan Auburn KC

Andrew Sharland KC

Andrew Sharland KC is an incisive advocate, achieving the best outcomes.

Aileen McColgan KC

Aileen McColgan KC is incredibly knowledgeable in a number of areas. She is very responsive and a pleasure to work with. Her advocacy is clear and effective. Her oral submissions are logical and precise and set out complex matters in a simple and understandable way, getting to the core of the matter.

Jonathan Moffett KC

Joanne Clement KC

2025 Silks

Tom Cross KC

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.

Hannah Slarks

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

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

Katherine Eddy

Jane Oldham

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

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.

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.

11KBW

England - London Bar

Education