Next Generation Partners

Education: individuals in London

Doyle Clayton

Doyle Clayton represents parents, students, teachers and professors in claims regarding discrimination, misconduct and bullying. Practice head Simon Henthorn is ‘professional, knowledgeable and kind – he can be robust when needed, but shows great compassion‘. Peter Daly, who joined from Slater and Gordon in early 2021, has represented clients in some high-profile cases regarding alleged harassment and intimidation over philosophical beliefs. Associate Amara Ahmad focuses on children’s law, specialising in advising on special educational needs and safeguarding.

Responsables de la pratique:

Simon Henthorn

Autres avocats clés:

Peter Daly; Amara Ahmad

Les références

‘Their knowledge of relevant legislation is excellent and they make you feel valued.’

‘The team makes you feel valued and have an interest in your case, as well as giving good advice – even when they could sugarcoat or be vague, they don’t.’

‘The team in general has been courteous, kind, and able to accommodate most requests for guidance and assistance, as and when needed. I feel comfortable with asking any question that comes to mind, as well as requesting an appointment to cover concerns.’

Irwin Mitchell

Irwin Mitchell has expertise with regards to special educational needs, disability discrimination and judicial reviews. Part of the practice’s work as a result has involved challenges to school transport policies, home education and exam awards. Head of public law and human rights Yogi Amin advises on policy matters and conducts tribunal and judicial review cases regarding school closures, education transport and safeguarding children. Angela Jackman specialises in mental capacity, education and human rights cases, and was appointed as an honorary KC in 2021 - she joined from Simpson Millar LLP in September 2021.

Responsables de la pratique:

Yogi Amin

Autres avocats clés:

Angela Jackman

Les références

‘Very knowledgeable and thoughtful about clients’ needs in a holistic sense’

‘Led by giant in the field Yogi Amin, with Angela Jackman in strong support, the IM civil liberties team is one of the strongest. They offer a friendly and thorough service backed by an organisation which exudes a solid competence.’

‘Each member of this team brings a different style and expertise which gives this team a real breadth of coverage.’

Simpson Millar LLP

Simpson Millar LLP advises on SEN matters – including admissions, discrimination and exclusion issues – and has expertise with regards to alternative dispute resolution. The practice is led by Dan Rosenberg, who worked with the Good Law Project on matters related to clinically vulnerable families in the pandemic - he is known for his 'expertise in exclusions, and dedication to challenging discriminatory treatment of vulnerable children.'

Responsables de la pratique:

Dan Rosenberg

Les références

‘Stellar. They are extremely committed and knowledgeable. They are dedicated and absolutely deserve their reputation as experts. They are also a pleasure to work with.’

‘Simpson Millar is the biggest and best education law team in the country with exceptional expertise in representing children, young people and families. It’s always a delight to work with the team, which is full of superstars that have been brilliantly trained by Dan Rosenberg.’

‘Dan Rosenberg – the best solicitor that I work with. Fantastic judgement. His expertise in exclusions, and dedication to challenging discriminatory treatment of vulnerable children, is second to none.’

Principaux clients

Good Law Project

Traveller Movement

Principaux dossiers

  • Instructed by both the Good Law Project and four clinically vulnerable families in relation to the pressure the Government was putting on schools to sanction parents for children’s non-attendance as the school year started in September 2021.

Sinclairslaw

Sinclairslaw has a track record of working on a wide variety of cases concerning the Equality Act, unlawful school exclusions and council tax schemes; the team is headed from Cardiff by Michael Charles, a specialist in special educational needs, and associate solicitor Helen Gill in London, who acts primarily in claims against the state and public bodies. Managing director John Ford, name partner of the firm which merged with Sinclairslaw in 2018, remains a key figure, while solicitor Louise Eardley is also recommended.

Responsables de la pratique:

Helen Gill; Michael Charles

Autres avocats clés:

Sharon Reid; Louise Eardley; John Ford; Chris Barnett

Les références

‘A great team with heart, breadth and depth of knowledge within education law, and some standout practitioners.’

‘Mike Charles – a legend in the field, particularly in higher education disciplinary hearings, SENDIST and SEN-related JRs.’

‘Good client care and knowledge of the law, prepared to push boundaries’

Bindmans LLP

Bindmans LLP acts on complex cases involving children with special educational needs, handling a wide variety of matters concerning discrimination, safeguarding and free speech. Seeing a crossover between local authority matters and community care disputes, the practice includes solicitors who are also community care specialists, affording them a rounded perspective on education, health and social care provision. The team is led by Karen May, who specialises in judicial review cases and tribunals.

Responsables de la pratique:

Karen May

Autres avocats clés:

Alex Temple

Les références

‘Excellent and transparent billing’

‘Karen May – Great expertise in SEND and linking to expert medical evidence. Brilliant at influencing Local Authorities on the key issues and knows how to deliver this in different forms of communication both remotely and face to face. Karen is brilliant at delivering the strategy to win the battle and disregards the minor skirmishes on the periphery. A lovely professional to work with and listens to her clients attentively as to what is important to them.’

‘I found every aspect of working with Bindmans made very easy for me mostly through the professionalism they showed, regular contact and updates, going above and beyond what my remit was, etc. I also applaud Bindmans for considering the particular financial situation I was in and making allowances for this in terms of capping the maximum final fee to an affordable level and showing patience in terms of invoice payments regarding my own cash flow circumstances.’

IBB Law

IBB Law represents clients with special educational needs, including cases where problems have arisen as a result of SEN students struggling to understand a situation or being impacted by anxiety. In addition, the firm works on matters related to misconduct and adjustments in teaching or examination to accommodate students with disabilities. Celia Whittuck and Priscilla Adu work together on most cases, with others led by Adu and Salima Mawji. The team is led by Whittuck, Mawji and Amanda Melton.

Responsables de la pratique:

Celia Whittuck; Salima Mawji; Amanda Melton

Autres avocats clés:

Priscilla Adu

Les références

‘From the outset they listened and guided me through my options. I have been struck by the consistency in their process, their professionalism and empathy. Their strengths have definitely been in their willingness to collaborate with other legal professionals in order to give you the best possible chance of success. They don’t shy away from meeting online and so I really feel understood and cared for.’

‘Salima Mawji made time for me from the outset, having sensed the urgency to file an application to court. Salima set up an online consultation and listened very carefully to my story. All of the team are professional, and unwavering in attending to their client’s needs.’

‘Celia Whittuck – unrelenting commitment, working weekends to prepare advice and papers.’

Mishcon de Reya LLP

Mishcon de Reya LLP represents a range of clients in relation to harassment and discrimination claims, including serious allegations of antisemitism by academics. The team is led by Robert Lewis, who is also Vice Chair of the Industrial Law Society and a member of the Employment Lawyers Association. His work includes religious discrimination complaints and bullying claims.

Responsables de la pratique:

Robert Lewis

Les références

‘Robert Lewis – very impressive. Very experienced, switched-on team – great to work with.’

‘Mishcon de Reya’s vast array of expertise enabled the team to draw upon other partners for advice which enabled quick decisions to be made with outstanding legal support. I could not have asked for better legal support if I tried!’

‘Robert Lewis provided expert advice, drawing upon his significant knowledge of the education sector. Robert went out of his way to support us and always placed the client at the centre of any decision making. His work was invaluable and played a significant role in the successful outcome of our work.’

Payne Hicks Beach LLP

Payne Hicks Beach LLP advises on admissions, exclusions and appeals, as well as regulations, exams and byelaws. The team has seen an increase in work concerning appeals and complaints regarding grading, stemming in part from the change in marking criteria during the exam cancellations in the COVID-19 lockdowns. The team is led by Ane Vernon, who has a strong reputation for advising clients in sensitive matters.

Responsables de la pratique:

Ane Vernon

Les références

‘Ane Vernon and her team were superb. All the senior team were easily accessible, attuned to the objective, confident in their delivery and totally committed to getting the right outcome.’

‘Ane Vernon is probably one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with – and I have been working with law firms both UK based and global teams for over 30 years. She is technically excellent, supportive and empathetic (rare in a lawyer), available out of hours whenever her wise counsel was required and perhaps the most important element, non-judgemental.’

‘A real depth a specialism in a relatively niche area.’

Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP

Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP was founded in March 2020 by three lawyers from Irwin Mitchell who splintered off to start their own practice. Bringing with them many years of experience, the education practice has a particular focus on individuals with disabilities. The team is led by its three founders: Alex Rook, who works mainly with charities; Anne-Marie Irwin, who has many years of experience in human rights law; and Polly Sweeney, who specialises in disability and mental health matters. Senior solicitor James Betts also joined in November 2021, with a focus on community care.

Responsables de la pratique:

Alex Rook; Anne-Marie Irwin; Polly Sweeney

Autres avocats clés:

James Betts; Caroline Barrett

Les références

‘James Betts – one of the best education lawyers in the UK. I recommend him to anyone who wants a solicitor. He is very efficient and well organised; has excellent legal skills; and is very good at achieving a practical outcome using the law.’

‘Polly Sweeney is one of the most highly rated education solicitors. She takes on groundbreaking and legally significant cases.’

‘Anne-Marie Irwin has a rapidly increasing reputation in all areas of public law. Supremely intelligent and grasps the facts and legal issues very quickly.’

Principaux clients

National Autistic Society

Russell-Cooke LLP

Russell-Cooke LLP has a track record of representing neurodiverse children in claims related to the Equality Act. Head of education Eva Akins is a thought leader on on parenting neurodiverse children, and leads on cases related to life-altering disabilities in education, and is assisted on many of these cases by associate Lenka Wall. The joint heads of children are Samantha Little and Sarah Richardson.

Responsables de la pratique:

Eva Akins; Samantha Little; Sarah Richardson

Autres avocats clés:

Lenka Wall

Les références

‘An excellent firm with a proven track record in this niche area.’

‘Eva Akins and Lenka Wall both stand out in this field as highly dedicated expert practitioners; they prepare cases thoroughly with a strategic overview and are excellent in their approach to client care.’

‘Russell-Cooke are well established as one of the foremost firms acting for parents or students seeking to secure better education provision. The firm runs very efficiently with excellent solicitors.’

SEN Legal

SEN Legal is a specialist firm based in Bury St Edmunds, focused on special educational needs and disability work in the education sector, working on a vast range of matters concerning children requiring support. The team is led by Melinda Nettleton, who is 'a long-time leader in the field, very experienced and highly knowledgeable', and Hayley Mason, who is 'wise beyond her years - tenacious and an unstoppable force.'

Responsables de la pratique:

Melinda Nettleton; Hayley Mason

Les références

‘This is a well established team, who go the extra mile in supporting both expert witnesses and clients.’

‘The team provide a very dedicated and personal service and think outside the box. They are very experienced and use this constructively with their clients for the benefit of the children and young people concerned.’

‘The colleagues that I have worked with on a variety of cases have been professionally very respectful and considerate but have been able to see the ‘wood from the trees’. They are knowledgeable and able to consider the unique situations of each client.’