Band 2
Band 2
Band 2
Band 3
Band 3
Spotlight
About
Provided by Sarah Hannett KC
Practice Areas
Practises in all aspects of public law. Her cases include the prohibition on prayer rituals in schools (TTT), the ongoing ECtHR litigation concerning the revocation of same-sex marriage in Bermuda (Ferguson), non-binary identity (Elan-Cane), same-sex civil partnerships (Steinfeld), the lawfulness of the commission of criminal acts by MI5 agents (Privacy International), human rights claims arising out of undercover policing (Wilson), and the challenge to the release of John Worboys from prison (DSD and NBV). Particular areas of expertise include equality law, education, national security, election and regulatory law.
Career
Member of the A-Panel of the Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Preferred Counsel. Prior to taking silk, member of the Attorney General’s A panel of counsel. Previously: Fellow at the Center for Constutional Rights in New York (Pegasus Scholar); lecturer in law at King’s College, London; visiting professor at McGill University.
Publications
Recent publications include (as co-author) Blackstone’s Guide to the Human Rights Act 1998 (2024) and Special Educational Needs and the Law (2017), and as a contributing author, National Security Law, Procedure and Practice (2024) and Information Rights (2024).
Personal
LLB (University of Nottingham); LLM in Human Rights and Comparative Law (McGil University, Canda); Commonwealth Scholar.
Chambers Review
UK Bar
Sarah Hannett KC has a broad community care practice and is particularly active in cases relating to local authority policy disputes. She is frequently instructed by local authorities and central government.
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 Hannett KC is a highly regarded public law, education, and human rights silk, with a particular specialism for equality law matters. She has acted in many elections cases and co-authored two leading law handbooks - one on special educational needs, the other: a guide to the Human Rights Act 1998.
Sarah Hannett KC is most often instructed on behalf of central government departments. She is particularly proficient at public law claims which involve human rights law and is an excellent choice for matters concerning data-related issues. Recently, she has appeared in several high-profile public law disputes involving equality law and healthcare.
Sarah Hannett KC is a leading public law barrister who has expertise in civil liberties and human rights cases, with a focus on equality, routinely acting for government defendants and the Equality and Human Rights Commission. She draws on her significant experience in education, local government and community care matters.
Sarah Hannett KC of Matrix Chambers is noted for her considerable experience advising on and conducting independent investigations. She draws upon her expertise in public and human rights law to act for clients in both the public and private sectors, with a focus on higher education institutions.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Sarah Hannett is one of the best barristers for election law matters. She's an exceptionally good lawyer and a consummate team player."
"The breadth of Sarah Hannett's knowledge is utterly astonishing. She is a brilliant advocate, calm and unflappable."
"Sarah is a really measured opponent who is very fair and knowledgeable."
"Sarah is extremely responsive and great at explaining difficult legal issues to clients."
"Sarah delivers very strong submissions."
"Sarah sees through the chaos and details. She provides a very practical point of view and she is so pragmatic. She knows the law back to front."
"An exceptional lawyer, one of those that the court really trusts. She can get right to the heart of the matter."
"Sarah is highly intelligent and fearless in the face of tough arguments."
"Sarah is very approachable, and she has an open mind to innovative challenges. She is happy to really think through complicated situations and come up with solutions. She is efficient and detailed."
"Sarah Hannett is one of the best barristers for election law matters. She's an exceptionally good lawyer and a consummate team player."
"The breadth of Sarah Hannett's knowledge is utterly astonishing. She is a brilliant advocate, calm and unflappable."
"Sarah is a really measured opponent who is very fair and knowledgeable."
"Sarah is extremely responsive and great at explaining difficult legal issues to clients."
"Sarah delivers very strong submissions."
"Sarah sees through the chaos and details. She provides a very practical point of view and she is so pragmatic. She knows the law back to front."
"An exceptional lawyer, one of those that the court really trusts. She can get right to the heart of the matter."
"Sarah is highly intelligent and fearless in the face of tough arguments."
"Sarah is very approachable, and she has an open mind to innovative challenges. She is happy to really think through complicated situations and come up with solutions. She is efficient and detailed."
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