With a ‘formidable reputation in the education law field’, 11KBW cover the full range of education law issues and education disputes and is home to barristers who lead in some of the most high-profile education cases. Jonathan Auburn KC appeared for the school and local authority in the inquest into the death of Ruth Perry, a headteacher took her own life following a critical Ofsted report. Aileen McColgan KC continued to represent the University of Bristol in an appeal on the judge’s finding that the university had not breached a duty of care brought by the family of a student who took her own life. Tom Cross was junior counsel for the school in R (TTT) v Michaela School, in which he defeated a challenge by a Muslim pupil regarding the prayer ritual ban imposed by the school, which was alleged to have violated her Article 9 rights under the European Convention on Human Rights. With significant experience in the higher education sector, Katherine Eddy regularly acts in high profile and sensitive discrimination challenges brought by students and academics against universities.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The clerks at 11KBW are always very responsive. Michael Smith in particular is very good at building rapport with instructing solicitors and provides a first class service.'
- '11KBW has a formidable reputation in the education law field.'
- 'A top notch set with a strong set of juniors.'
- '11KBW remains one of the stand-out sets dealing with education law at present. The range of counsel specialising in the sector is probably the strongest in England.'
- '11KBW has strength in depth, delivers excellent high-level training and is the market leader for Higher Education.'
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.
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.
