Education | UK Bar

11KBW maintains its reputation as a set that offers "market-leading expertise in education law" and that benefits from "huge strength in depth across all levels of call." Particular areas of strength for the team include special educational needs cases, discrimination claims and examination disputes. Members regularly receive instructions from both individuals and institutions from across the education estate and have particular expertise in school reorganisations, admissions and exclusions, and employment disputes. Recent high-profile work includes an instruction on behalf of claimants in a judicial review case challenging the government's policy of imposing VAT on private school fees.

Mark Dann leads the clerking team as senior clerk.

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.

39 Essex Chambers offers extensive expertise covering a wide range of education matters. Given its "strength across the board from very junior level to KC level," sources regard 39 Essex Chambers as a "go-to set for more complex cases." Members are particularly well regarded for their handling of cases concerning the higher education sector, including challenges to grant decisions and admissions, and claims involving allegations of discrimination and procedural unfairness. Members have additional expertise in claims for judicial review concerning SEN funding and employment within the education sector. The team acts on behalf of an enviable roster of clients, including the Secretary of State for Education, higher education institutions, local authorities, schools and parents. Recent notable work includes a case against the Secretary of State for Education challenging aspects of the legislation governing free school meal entitlement relating to children with EOTAS packages, which resulted in a commitment to issue new guidance.

Peter Campbell and Sheraton Doyle are directors of clerking.

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.

Doughty Street Chambers offers expertise across the education sector, including assistance with judicial reviews and negligence and discrimination claims against schools and universities. The set isn't afraid to tackle any education issue, from bullying and disability discrimination claims to appearances in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals fighting for adequate special educational needs provision. Recent work includes claims challenging Bristol City and Devon County Councils' decisions to enter into "safety valve" agreements with the Department for Education.

Sian Wilkins is the senior clerk for civil matters.

Landmark Chambers regularly receives instructions to act for academies and higher and further education institutions, as well as local authorities, government organisations and individual parents on a wide range of education law matters. The chambers is noted to provide "excellent coverage of the sector," and the set's tenants exhibit expertise across discrimination claims, school closures and safeguarding issues. Members are also highly regarded for their advisory work concerning children with special educational needs, and they have significant experience of appearing in SEN hearings. Recent judicial review work includes a challenge to Hertfordshire County Council's policies relating to EHC plans and a case examining how a school should approach a permanent exclusion decision where there may be criminal exploitation concerns.

Ben Connor and Mark Ball lead the clerking team as practice directors.