Department profile
3PB Barristers

Education

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)

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3PB Barristers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Education - London (Bar)

Band 3

What the Team is Known For

3PB Barristers is well-regarded for its coverage of the education section. Interviewees consider the set to have "a perfect blend of experience, depth and energy," and commend its tenants as being "incredibly experienced, knowledgeable and creative in their legal advice and oral advocacy." Members regularly handle matters relating to school admissions and exclusions, special educational needs and discrimination claims, for which the set is particularly renowned. The team also offers expertise in disciplinary matters in the higher education sector. Members represent education institutions, such as schools, universities and academies, as well as pupils, governing bodies and NGOs and regularly appear before the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, and Court of Appeal. Notable recent work includes R (AY) v Vale of Glamorgan Council, a judicial review case brought on behalf of a pupil with SEND relating to the question of whether the child's parent should have been permitted to bring an advocate of their choice to the pupil's IDP review.

Russell Porter leads the clerking team as practice director.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The clerks are always helpful and able to advise on suitable counsel when requesting recommendations.

    Education respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks at 3PB are excellent. Gemma Faulkner, in particular, is very conscientious and efficient. The organisation, care and attention from their clerks is second to none.

    Education respondentUK Bar

  • The clerks at 3PB are exceptional. They are incredibly responsive, professional and extremely helpful.

    Education respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Charlotte Hadfield
    Charlotte Hadfield

    Charlotte Hadfield

    Charlotte Hadfield is head of the education team and is well-known for her handling of SEN cases. She often acts for her clients in SEND tribunals at the First-tier and Upper levels, and regularly receives instructions for judicial review claims. Her varied client list includes schools and academies, local authorities, parents and children.

    • She is a force and a name in education law. Charlotte has an excellent eye for detail with a pragmatic approach which makes her submissions incredibly difficult to disagree with.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Charlotte is an exceptional barrister. She covers all bases, provides unique and invaluable client care, and is the go-to advocate for complex legal matters.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • The warmth she puts across is very reassuring. She is ferocious in court, as she needs to be.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Charlotte is a top-level combination of experience, knowledge and client care. She is extremely generous with her time. She is a brilliant leader as well.

      Education respondentUK Bar
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  • Alice de Coverley
    Alice de Coverley

    Alice de Coverley

    Alice de Coverley is a well-regarded junior with experience across a wide range of education matters and particular expertise in exclusions and disability discrimination claims. She regularly receives instructions to represent government bodies, schools, universities, families and students in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals.

    • We work with Alice on special educational needs matters. She is extremely well-versed in that area, and meticulously well prepared.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Alice has a particular authority when it comes to intricate details regarding Ofsted and questioning schools. In SEND appeals, she can break down complex principles and explain to them to clients.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Alice is an exceptional barrister who is astute, thorough, creative and provides excellent legal advice. She is a highly skilled oral advocate.

      Education respondentUK Bar
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  • Emma Calvert
    Emma Calvert

    Emma Calvert

    Emma Waldron has a broad practice encompassing a wide range of education matters. She offers expertise in special educational needs and discrimination issues, and advises on admissions and exclusion appeals. She regularly represents universities, schools, academies and local authorities, as well as parents and young people.

    • A very experienced, knowledgeable counsel, Emma is friendly and approachable. She helped on an extremely difficult case.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Emma is a highly skilled barrister, with exceptional and empathetic client care. She is a fantastic oral advocate.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Emma Waldron is a bright and capable educational lawyer who is very well suited to SEN work.

      Education respondentUK Bar
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  • Jennifer Agyekum
    Jennifer Agyekum

    Jennifer Agyekum

    Jennifer Agyekum is noted for her SEN and discrimination expertise. She acts for individuals as well as schools, universities and local authorities in tribunal proceedings.

    • Jennifer dealt with a tricky matter with tact and diplomacy.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Jennifer takes a calm-headed and technical approach to difficult cases.

      Education respondentUK Bar
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  • John Friel
    John Friel

    John Friel

    John Friel is a hugely experienced and impressive education barrister, who regularly advises on disability matters. He is routinely sought out by educational institutions in both the private and public sectors, and represents charities and governing bodies. His extensive track record includes appearing in significant cases before the House of Lords, the High Court and the Upper Tribunal.

    • John Friel is a longstanding and hardworking barrister with an enormous amount of expertise. He has an in-depth understanding of education law across the board and how it's evolved over time.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • John has excellent knowledge of not only the law but also the individual medical disciplines in the area, so he frequently puts experts through their paces. He is extremely forensic in this respect.

      Education respondentUK Bar
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  • Katherine Anderson
    Katherine Anderson

    Katherine Anderson

    Katherine Anderson is a well-respected education law barrister who specialises in special educational needs and discrimination law cases. Her broad client base includes parents, students, local authorities, schools, academies and higher-education institutions.

    • Katherine Anderson is amazing, particularly in extended appeals.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Katherine is a great barrister.

      Education respondentUK Bar

    • Katherine is very helpful and very clear in her advice. She helps us achieve great results.

      Education respondentUK Bar
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Ranked Barristers at 3PB Barristers (6)

London (Bar)

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