SILK PROFILE

Aileen McColgan KC

UK Bar 2026

11KBW

Ranked in 5 practice areas

Education

London (Bar)

12 years ranked

Independent Investigations

All Circuits

3 years ranked

Employment

London (Bar)

11 years ranked

Civil Liberties & Human Rights

London (Bar)

3 years ranked

Administrative & Public Law

London (Bar)

8 years ranked

About

Provided by 11KBW

Practice Areas

Aileen’s core practice is in public and human rights law, education and employment law. She also practises in election and information law and is particularly interested in work relating to discrimination/ equality, higher education and human rights (particularly freedom of expression) in relation to which she regularly advises universities and financial services sectors, higher education, media organisations and government.

Career

Aileen was called in 2001 having been appointed Professor of Human Rights Law at King’s College London, where she maintained a role until 2019. She took silk in 2020.

Professional Memberships

ALBA DLA ELBA HRLA ILS

Publications

Aileen has written numerous books and articles on a wide range of legal topics including all of the areas mentioned above and is an internationally recognised expert on human rights and equality/ discrimination law.

Personal

Aileen grew up in Northern Ireland and attended Cambridge and Edinburgh universities.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

UK Bar

Education - London (Bar)

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Aileen McColgan KC has an established practice focusing on special educational needs proceedings, equality law claims and important topical socio-political matters within education. She acts for both claimants and defendants, including prominent universities and local authorities. Advisory work represents a significant part of her practice, and she has considerable experience in advising and chairing disciplinary and other panels.

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Independent Investigations - All Circuits

Band 2

Individual Editorial

Aileen McColgan KC is regularly engaged by public and private sector clients to investigate matters of great sensitivity. She has strong experience leading investigations in corporate and education contexts.

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Employment - London (Bar)

Band 3

Individual Editorial

Aileen McColgan KC focuses on discrimination and equality issues, while maintaining an interest in the wider area of employment law as a practising academic. She has extensive experience handling complex holiday pay and restrictive covenant issues, appearing before the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the High Court for both employers and employees.

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Civil Liberties & Human Rights - London (Bar)

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Aileen McColgan KC has a strong human rights practice, taking in issues of gender identity, equality, privacy and a host of other issues.

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Administrative & Public Law - London (Bar)

Band 4

Individual Editorial

Aileen McColgan KC is a highly respected silk with impressive depth of knowledge in discrimination law. She is regularly instructed in cases concerning workplace and education discrimination, within a wider public law practice. Recent mandates include acting in judicial review proceedings for clients in the education and arts sectors.

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Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Aileen is incredibly approachable and client-focused. She combines great communication skills with pre-eminent expertise of her specialism.
EducationUK Bar
Aileen is absolutely top class!
EducationUK Bar
She instantly cut to the heart of our matter and demonstrated her expertise and judgement in a way that reassured and strengthened the client.
EducationUK Bar
Aileen's advice was always clear, pragmatic and timely, often delivered to challenging deadlines. Her client care was excellent.
Independent InvestigationsUK Bar
Aileen did a great job. She was responsive and thoughtful in her approach.
Independent InvestigationsUK Bar
Aileen has provided excellent, detailed advice about complex legal issues and robust advice on strategy. Aileen's approach has been calm and measured, which has been of huge assistance.
EmploymentUK Bar