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Education

1
11KBW
Matrix Chambers
2
39 Essex Chambers
3
3PB

Leading Silks

1
Jonathan Auburn KC – 11KBW ‘Exceptional knowledge of the law, attention to detail and ability to process information under pressure. An exceptional advocate who gets results. Always approachable, making time to assist with urgent complex matters.’
Nicholas Bowen KC – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Nicholas is always very well prepared, ensuring he understands the smallest details of a case. His work is of a very high standard and he is excellent with clients.’
Joanne Clement KC – 11KBW ‘Joanne is the go-to for judicial review, complex student casework and inquiry work; she is highly personable and her advice and guidance is valued by both the in-house legal team and the internal client. She understands and takes account of the political context in which clients operate and also spots legal issues which enable clients to make novel and persuasive arguments.’
James Goudie KC – 11KBW ‘Authority, clarity, expertise and responsiveness.’
Jonathan Moffett KC – 11KBW ‘Jonathan works particularly well with the specialist team. He does not come across or attempt to the “the big I AM” but instead recognises and acknowledges the client and legal experience that those instructing him bring to the matter.’
Helen Mountfield KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Helen is an absolute powerhouse and a go-to for the complex governance and risk matters that arise in the higher education sector. She has a unique platform drawing on her role as Head of House for an Oxford College, and is able to cut through to the issues in a pragmatic and user-friendly way at rocket like speed.’
Peter Oldham KC – 11KBW ‘Peter is extremely knowledgeable, helpful and quick to respond. He goes above and beyond and gives a faultless service.’
David Wolfe KC – Matrix Chambers ‘David is prompt and incisive in terms of his advice, has an unrivalled level of experience in education law, thinks creatively, is an excellent black letter lawyer and is always open to bringing novel challenges. His pleadings are always superb and he is a very well-respected advocate due to the level of expertise, his eloquence and his persuasion.’
2
Nicola Braganza KC - Garden Court Chambers
Catherine Callaghan KC – Blackstone Chambers  
Rory Dunlop KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Rory has deep knowledge of education claims and the perfect bedside manner for both clients and the court. His advocacy is persuasive, succinct, he gives off an aura of being completely on top of his brief, he is also very user-friendly and a joy to work with.’
Sarah Hannett KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Sarah is incredibly bright. Her analysis is razor sharp and methodical; she is able to present incredibly complex issues in a way that seems straightforward and clear.’
Stephanie Harrison KC  – Garden Court Chambers 'Excellent understanding of the law, driven and passionate with a huge knowledge of her field.'
Aileen McColgan KC – 11KBW ‘Unflappable. On complex and often emotional issues, she is excellent at taking the temperature of the room (or the court) and tailoring her advocacy without losing any of her tenacity.’
Fenella Morris KC – 39 Essex Chambers
Mathew Purchase KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Mathew is astute and sensible, giving practical advice, clear and concise, applies law to the facts. His drafting is brilliant and he is fantastic to work with, responsive and reliable, really cares about his cases.’
Fiona Scolding KC  – Landmark Chambers
Andrew Sharland KC – 11KBW ‘Andrew is brilliant with people - even very difficult clients – also, very good at getting to the nub of any issue. Very down to earth and does not attempt to upstage instructing solicitors.‘
Daniel Squires KC – Matrix Chambers 'A huge brain- very analytical. Daniel is instructed for complex investigations involving analysis of how the Equality Act applies in school cases and is really excellent on rights colliding cases.'
Galina Ward KC – Landmark Chambers ‘Galina has a rare combination of skills, being an expert in both education law and property litigation. She provides thorough, technically strong and client friendly advice and is an accomplished advocate in court.’
Amanda Weston KC - Garden Court Chambers
Ian Wise KC – Monckton Chambers

2023 Silks

Katherine Apps KC – 39 Essex Chambers ‘Katherine has incisive knowledge of education law as well as an evident passion for the area. That, together with her instincts as to whether a matter can be advanced or defended is hugely assuring for clients. Her advocacy is a masterclass in timing and judgement, her written advice and submissions are noteworthy too.’
Nick Armstrong KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Quick grasp of the detail, strategic, client friendly and a pleasure to work with.’
Claire Darwin KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Claire is an authority on all matters relating to discrimination within the field of education law. Her calm and assured advocacy skills are particularly sought after. She is personable and highly accomplished.’
Emma Sutton KC - Serjeants' Inn Chambers

2024 Silks

Steve Broach KC –39 Essex Chambers ‘Steve is extensively knowledgeable in his field and imparts this knowledge on to those who work with him. He is great with clients and colleagues alike, assertive yet approachable and very friendly, quick thinking on his feet, and able to respond to other party arguments in an instant.’

Leading Juniors

1
Tom Cross – 11KBW ‘Tom is an exceptional advocate and his drafting is hands down the best observed at the Bar. He has a very good knowledge of the relevant legal principles and is a pleasure to work with.’
Leon Glenister  – Landmark Chambers ‘Leon is excellent and particularly strong on case strategy and working together with experts and a multi professional team to get clarity in a complex case. Leon’s knowledge of education law is top tier and he uses this magnificently to get the best.’
Paul Greatorex –11KBW
David Lawson – Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Very responsive, thorough and able to convey complex concepts to lay client and lawyers. Very helpful at conference and able to swiftly cut through to the heart of the issue.’
2
Jack Anderson –39 Essex Chambers
Alice de Coverley –3PB ‘Alice’s knowledge and passion for this area of law and particularly, around special educational needs matters, is unrivalled. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of potential reasonable adjustments, external experts and other factors educational establishments should consider is incredibly helpful and she speaks with real authority on the matter. She is just magic.’
Laith Dilaimi –Old Square Chambers ‘Laith is an extremely capable advocate; calm and measured in his questioning of vulnerable witnesses and his written advocacy is of exceptional quality. Laith has considerable experience in complex gender issues effecting schools and universities, as well as discrimination claims and breach of contract claims.’
Katherine Eddy –11KBW ‘Katherine is a fantastic barrister. She's extremely intelligent and is a fantastic advocate. She also builds trust from clients.’
Charlotte Hadfield –3PB ‘Charlotte is the stand out junior in Education law. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and is a most persuasive advocate. She is the go to for any matter relating to special educational needs and destined to be a Silk.’
Jennifer Thelen –39 Essex Chambers
Emma Waldron –3PB
3
Jennifer Agyekum –3PB
Shazia Akhtar – Gatehouse Chambers ‘Shazia is an outstanding barrister, with an excellent knowledge of the law in relation to special educational needs. She is a good advocate, she takes no nonsense from her opponent local authority and instils the client with confidence about the way in which their case is handled and achieves outstanding results for parents of children with disabilities.’
Raj Desai –Matrix Chambers ‘Raj is an excellent barrister – his oral advocacy is measured, fluent and well informed. He knows how to read a room and is also an exceptionally strong analytical lawyer – he would always be among the very first choices of senior junior in an education case.’
Zoe Gannon – 11KBW ‘Zoe is incredibly responsive and nothing is too much trouble. On her feet, she is quick, well-prepared and really knows her stuff.'
Alexander Line –Outer Temple Chambers ‘Alex is professional, approachable, practical and has fantastic knowledge case of special educational needs work. He is calm, composed and persuasive as an advocate, who is unlikely to be caught out by a judge. Clients and colleagues love working with Alex.’ 
Gráinne Mellon – Garden Court Chambers 'Grainne is an excellent barrister who is personable, knowledgeable, clear and concise, puts the client at ease and is able to dissect complex arguments in a manageable way for the lay client.'
Louise Price –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Louise’s knowledge and expertise in education law is second-to-none. She has a brilliant way of not just understanding very complex and novel points of education law but explaining it in a way that can be understood and tailored to the person she is talking to. Watching her in court is like watching a master class in advocacy.’
Hannah Slarks – 11KBW ‘Hannah is very clear to define the issues and see a path through to success. Approachable and great client care too.’
Sarah Steinhardt – Doughty Street Chambers ‘Hardworking with great attention to detail and with an encyclopedic knowledge of the Equality Act. Easy to work with and persuasive on her feet with a clear crisp advocacy style.’
4
Katherine Anderson – 3PB ‘Katherine is extremely personable and knowledgeable instilling confidence in both instructing solicitors and clients. She goes above and beyond in supporting instructing solicitors with any issues that may arise during the course of proceedings and is eloquent in her advocacy skills balancing the need to address the law and have the clients position heard.’
Katherine Barnes –39 Essex Chambers ‘Katherine is exceptionally intelligent and sharp; she picks up on small details. Her advice is extremely comprehensive; she is clear and professional in both her advocacy and written work.’
Aimee Fox – 3PB ‘Aimee has a lovely, reassuring way with clients. Her ability to command the room’s attention in court through her persuasive and engaging advocacy skills is second to none.‘
Rhys Hadden – Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Rhys brings a wealth of knowledge to proceedings when dealing with difficult exclusion matters and school governors. Clients value his ability to cut through the extraneous matters and focus on what is important.’
Harini Iyengar –11KBW
Shu Shin Luh –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Shu Shin is easily one of the best barristers. She is tactically astute, extremely creative and incredible on her feet and easily on par with leading KCs in these areas.’
Ben Mitchell – 11KBW ‘Ben has a good knowledge of the law in this area and has a clear and straightforward manner with clients, where there were some vulnerabilities in particular.’
Jane Oldham –11KBW
Imogen Proud  – Monckton Chambers
Matthew Wyard – 3PB ‘Matthew is a shrewd advocate, often finding nuance arguments in cases which other counsel may overlook. His advocacy is very reasoned, balanced, and he has a fantastic legal mind for untested areas of the law and judicial review. One to watch.’

Rising Stars

Monique Bouffé  - Outer Temple Chambers  'Helpful, thorough, a pleasure to work with.'
Mark Greaves – Matrix Chambers ‘Mark is excellent. His work is thorough and fair, and he certainly wins the trust of both parties. His written outcome is well reasoned, clear and helpfully structured.’ 
Raphael Hogarth – 11KBW ‘Raphael is fiercely intelligent and immensely hardworking.’
Alice Irving –Doughty Street Chambers ‘Alice is a thorough, supportive and empathetic education law barrister and exactly who is wanted next to the most vulnerable clients during a special educational needs appeal. Alice has creative and innovative suggestions for judicial review remedies, delivers excellent results at tribunal and is recommended without hesitation to clients and colleagues.’ 
Nadia O’Mara  - Garden Court Chambers  'She is quick, responsive, and very good under time pressure.'
Ollie Persey – Garden Court Chambers 'Ollie has an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the relevant law and has been able to achieve some excellent results in important legal challenges, particularly in relation to legal aid for education law issues.'
Jake Rylatt – Serjeants’ Inn Chambers ‘Jake is a rising star in the field of education law. He has impeccable client care, an exceptional grasp of the legislation and fantastic interpersonal skills. His client care is second to none.’
Katy Sheridan – Matrix Chambers ‘Key strengths are how quickly she sees points, her legal knowledge, and also, for one so junior, her judgement.’
Rachel Sullivan – 39 Essex Chambers 'Helpful, excellent written submissions.'

Education in London Bar

11KBW


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.

Les références

‘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.’

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Matrix Chambers


Barristers at Matrix Chambers are known for their excellent handling of education law matters for an array of clients, including individual students or parents, as well as the Department of Education and a variety of statutory bodies. David Wolfe KC and Katy Sheridan acted for the claimants in R (Bowen) v Kent County Council, challenging the decision of Kent County Council to refuse to consider a humanist for membership of local authority Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education. Claire Darwin KC represented the Department of Education in a judicial review against admission arrangements, including the nomination of a primary school as a feeder school, for Langley Park School for Boys and Langley Park School for Girls for the September 2023 intake were challenged as unfair. Nick Armstrong KC is lauded for being ‘particularly good at difficult cross-examination in the context of the girst-tier tribunal, knowing exactly when and to what extent to ask the difficult questions, whilst displaying a sense of empathy’.

Les références

‘Matrix is a go to set with an exceptional team of education law counsel with a wide variety of knowledge and experience.’

‘Very good for higher education and equality matters, matters relating to students, freedom of expression – good sector knowledge: invaluable.’

‘Brilliant set. One of the best in the market place.’

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39 Essex Chambers


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.

Les références

‘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.’

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3PB


3PB’s barristers cover the complete range of education disputes, including acting in tribunal claims and judicial reviews related to SEND matters, discrimination, pupil disciplinary and school exclusion, as well as academic and disciplinary decisions in schools and universities.Matthew Wyard is noted for his expertise in judicial reviews and in special educational needs matters. Alice de Coverley has been active in Upper Tribunal appeals and First-tier Tribunals related to education, health and care plans and disability discrimination.

Les références

‘Specialist set for SEND Tribunal work.’

‘3PB as a set is well known for its education work.’

‘3PB are one of (if not the) go-to sets for education law. We regularly instruct the set and are always impressed at the quality and consistency of their work, both in terms of written drafting and their advocacy. They are a pleasure to instruct.’

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