Acting for children, young people and their families across England and Wales, Irwin Mitchell covers the full spectrum of education law, with strength in special educational needs, disability discrimination and judicial review, including challenges to Ofsted inspections, unlawful transport decisions, EHCP provision failures and school closures. Yogi Amin heads the public law and human rights department, bringing extensive litigation experience across SEND, school closures, education transport and safeguarding, and a strong track record in tribunal and judicial review work. Angela Jackman KC focuses on special educational needs, exclusions and judicial review, while Esther Salter leads the national education law team with particular expertise in SEND First Tier and Upper Tier Tribunal appeals, including high-value residential EHCP appeals, disability discrimination and education-focused judicial reviews. Lucy Atherton advises on education and children’s rights, with a focus on SEND and the health and social care aspects of cases.
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Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Approachable, professional, and always available. Esther Salter is exceptional.
- Irwin Mitchell has one of the largest and most established education teams in the market.
- Angela Jackman is a legend of education law. She is incredibly knowledgeable about issues including special educational needs and discrimination.
- Esther Salter is extremely professional and a pleasure to work with. She is hugely knowledgeable and able to view cases from a range of angles. She always offers clear, holistic advice. Abigail Hands is a true rising star. She is exceptionally hardworking and goes above and beyond for her clients.
- Esther Salter is as good as it gets when it comes to education law. She is fantastic in all respects, and particularly good in complex cases involving crossover issues with social care. Abigail Hands is phenomenal - she has incredible judgment for her stage of career, always across her brief, creative, and compassionate.
- Friendly team who listens to the family and works collaboratively. Excellent knowledge with a wealth of experience and meaningful advice.
- Esther Salter was excellent, warm, friendly, and reassuring. She has very detailed knowledge and a wealth of experience. She is flexible in her approach and understanding. Ollie Butters is a star in the making, very adept at supporting the case, with technical skills and a friendly demeanor.
- Esther Salter is extremely knowledgeable in the field of SEND and disability discrimination law. I value her pragmatic and holistic approach to cases; she is excellent at discerning the best strategic route to take. Esther is generous and reliable in remaining an active participant in supervising cases undertaken by junior colleagues.
- The team is exceptionally approachable, responsive, and collaborative in working with the charitable sector to support families in challenging SEND and disability discrimination cases.
Key clients
- Friends of Langley First School
- ICARS
- Queensway Primary
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Yogi Amin
Other key lawyers
Angela Jackman KC; Esther Salter; Lucy Atherton