Department profile
Matrix Chambers

Education

UK Bar Guide 2026 : London (Bar)


Matrix Chambers

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Education - London (Bar)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Matrix Chambers is widely renowned as a leading set for education matters. One source notes: "Matrix Chambers has an exceptional group of seniors and juniors capable of advising on innovative, developing and cutting-edge areas of education law." The set's enviable client base includes several local authorities, the Department for Education and Ofsted, as well as schools, colleges, universities, and individual students and parents. Members are regularly called upon to act for and advise on education judicial review challenges and disputes concerning SEN, discrimination, safeguarding, exclusions and school closures. Recent work includes Hamon v UCL, a case before the High Court in which members represent students seeking compensation due to disruptions caused by lecturer strikes and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Elizabeth Bousher is senior practice manager.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The superb clerking at the chambers gives one confidence.

    Education respondentUK Bar
  • The clerking team is second to none in terms of their responsiveness and willingness to assist. Nothing is too much trouble.

    Education respondentUK Bar
  • The clerks have been a joy to deal with.

    Education respondentUK Bar
  • Matrix clerks are very accommodating, flexible and good with fees. I rate them very highly.

    Education respondentUK Bar

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Star IndividualsDavid Wolfe
    Star IndividualsDavid Wolfe

    David Wolfe

    David Wolfe KC is a leading light in the education sector who has been involved in some of the landmark decisions over the course of his stellar career. He is a legal aid and SEN expert and specialises in judicial review, frequently advising individuals, education groups and organisations on matters around religious education curricula, school reorganisations and admissions policies.

    • David was fantastic on a complex case. He is amazing. His advocacy style is extremely conversational; he takes complicated ideas and makes them easy to address.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • David has been consistently at the forefront of education cases. He is excellent.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • David Wolfe always provides an excellent service with exceptional advocacy skills.

      Education respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Helen Mountfield
    Band 1Helen Mountfield

    Helen Mountfield

    Helen Mountfield KC is a pre-eminent education silk and a seasoned authority on safeguarding and matters concerning faith schools. She has acted in some of the leading education cases in recent times, and frequently advises universities on free speech and equality matters. Education constitutes a key aspect of her renowned public law practice.

    • Her advice is really clear and assured. She has a real understanding of technical analysis that affects actual educational institutions.

      Education respondentUK Bar
  • Band 1Sarah Hannett
    Band 1Sarah Hannett

    Sarah Hannett

    Sarah Hannett KC is a member of the Equality and Human Rights Commission's A-Panel of Counsel and specialises in education cases with equality aspects. She is adept at handling safeguarding and discrimination matters for education institutions, regulatory bodies and local government. She has co-authored two leading law handbooks: one on special educational needs, the other a guide to the Human Rights Act 1998.

    • Sarah is incredibly clear and hard-working, and she gets good results.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • I can't speak more highly of her. She is a fantastic operator. She really knows her stuff, and her advice is very polished. She is a fantastic advocate.

      Education respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Daniel Squires
    Band 3Daniel Squires

    Daniel Squires

    Daniel Squires KC is a prominent education silk and a member of the A Panel of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. He is highly commended for his knowledge of community care and employment law, and has appeared in several important education cases before the Court of Appeal, High Court and SENDIST. He acts for both claimants and defendants and is often instructed by universities and other educational institutions to handle complex work regarding breach of contract and educational negligence. He is also regularly called upon to advise on important topical socio-political matters and judicial reviews.

  • Band 3Mathew Purchase
    Band 3Mathew Purchase

    Mathew Purchase

    Mathew Purchase KC is an erudite education specialist with a deep knowledge of judicial review, contract law and school exclusion matters. He represents a diverse list of clients in complex equality law claims and has notable experience handling cases at the intersection between education and employment law.

    • Mathew worked on a very sensitive and complex case. He took to it immediately and was a joy to work with.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • Matthew Purchase is very well established and a very reliable and steady pair of hands. He was super-efficient to work with.

      Education respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Nicholas Armstrong
    Band 3Nicholas Armstrong

    Nicholas Armstrong

    Nicholas Armstrong KC has a strong reputation in the education sector and routinely counsels schools, colleges and universities on a variety of issues. He is well-versed in equality law, cases relating to special educational needs, and complex matters with crossover into other areas of his broad public law practice (including immigration). He regularly represents clients before tribunals and in civil proceedings.

    • Nick offers an exceptional service and is very accessible.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • Nick has a calm and persuasive manner, and he makes all of his points very clearly.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • Nicholas Armstrong is excellent across all areas.

      Education respondentUK Bar
  • Band 3Raj Desai
    Band 3Raj Desai

    Raj Desai

    Raj Desai has a wealth of experience in education law and is a sound choice for judicial reviews and SEN appeals. He has received instruction in cases concerning innovative education law issues, and has appeared in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals as well as the Supreme Court.

    • Raj is an impressive barrister.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • Raj is adept at turning his hand to new and innovative issues, particularly those concerning the interface of education law with other relevant areas, like public law, charity law and equality law.

      Education respondentUK Bar
  • Band 4Mark Greaves
    Band 4Mark Greaves

    Mark Greaves

    Mark Greaves is noted for his expertise in special educational needs, exclusion and discrimination cases, often appearing before the First-tier Tribunal. He has experience pertaining to Ofsted procedures and judicial reviews. Greaves regularly acts for claimants and defendants, both institutions and individuals.

    • Mark is very bright and a clear communicator, who has proven that he can give effective commercial advice in high-pressured situations.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • Mark is very knowledgeable and thorough.

      Education respondentUK Bar
    • Mark Greaves is an exceptionally talented junior who displays excellent client care skills.

      Education respondentUK Bar

Ranked Barristers at Matrix Chambers (8)

London (Bar)

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