Education
UK Bar Guide 2025 : London (Bar)
Band 3
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(020) 7404 1313Chambers Review
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. Members are praised by clients for giving "considered, detailed, and practical advice regarding the next steps" in cases and are "able to and prepared to take on novel challenges." Recently, members have been involved in an important case challenging a local authority's desire to close a small rural school at the heart of a tight-knit village community due to low pupil numbers.
Sian Wilkins is the senior clerk for civil matters.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Callum Stebbing, senior practice manager, and Freddie Wilkins, practice manager, are very friendly and responsive to emails."
"Callum Stebbing, senior practice manager, and Freddie Wilkins, practice manager, are very friendly and responsive to emails."
Notable Practitioners
Shu Shin Luh is a highly regarded education and community care junior with a strong background in advising vulnerable clients and in counselling parents in relation to complex equality claims.She will often work with NGOs and is active intesting the limits of local authorities' education funding duties towards children and young adults under their care.
"Shu Shin Luh has real authority on cases related to immigration, public law and education and her expertise in those areas is invaluable."
Alice Irving is noted for her knowledge and specialism in education law. She routinely appears in the First-tier and Upper Tribunals in education, health and care plan appeals and disability discrimination cases, often acting for parents bringing challenges against local authorities.
"Alice Irving is very knowledgeable and sensible. She's a very impressive advocate who gets amazing results for her clients."
"Alice Irving is often the most intelligent person in the room, but she doesn't lean on that. She will dominate any case with a smile."
"Alice provides clear and well thought-out advice at all times."
Nicholas Bowen KC is the head of the education law team and represents a range of clients, including parents with disabled children, in fraught education disputes with local authorities. He also has significant expertise in community care, Court of Protection, and civil liberties and human rights work.
"Nick is incredibly clever. If I had a cutting edge case, Nick is the guy I would go to."
"Nick is great with clients and reliable on paperwork."
Louise Price has significant experience in the education space, in particular in matters relating to special educational needs appeals. She is highly versed in advisory work for sensitive matters with a strong knowledge of issues concerning the application of the Equality Act 2010 within the education sector.
"Louise Price has an excellent manner with clients, providing detailed and clear advice."
"Louise conducts herself admirably, is a fantastic cross-examiner and is very straight with the judge."
Ranked Barristers at
Doughty Street Chambers
Silks (KC)
London (Bar)
Juniors
London (Bar)