Education: Individuals
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(0870) 1500 100About
Provided by Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell’s education law team spans across 10 offices and is nationally recognised as being a leader in this field and acts for children, young people and their families across England and Wales. It specialises in all
transport policies, service cuts and school closures/ re-organisations. Most recently it has been leading on challenges against the restriction on the First Tier Tribunal being able to award compensation as a remedy, securing Education Otherwise Than At School (EOTAS) and securing specialist placements, disputed by Local Authorities on sufficiency grounds. It has responded to the Government’s Special Educational Needs and Disability review. No other firm nationally has made such an impact across such a range of education law issues through its cases over the last 12 months.
The team also works closely with national charities such as Mencap, Scope, Contact, Sense and Cerebra and are regularly invited to speak at national conferences. This includes delivering seminars at Disabled Living national conferences and delivering training at a National Case Managers conference.
The team continue to deliver online webinars on various aspects of the educational system and SEND.
We ensure that parents of children with SEND are equipped with necessary knowledge to obtain the support required by law such as working closely with campaign groups, and producing factsheets and template letters that are free for parents to use and are available on the website.
Chambers Review
Irwin Mitchell has a well-reputed claimant-side education practice handling a large volume of SEN matters, including arrangements for educational provision in the independent schools sector. The team regularly acts for clients before the First-tier and Upper Tribunals and in sophisticated public law challenges. The firm is noted for its expertise in issues concerning Education, Health and Care Plans. It is also adept at advising on issues of disability discrimination.
Work Highlights
- Irwin Mitchell acted for the International Coalition Against Restraint and Seclusion and a number ofchild claimants who had been unlawfully restrained for significant periods of time at their schools without the parents being notified.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Irwin Mitchell are a very well-oiled machine and have a 360-degree knowledge of the sector."
"Irwin Mitchell has a very strong education team with notable experts."
"The nature of Irwin Mithcell's legal representatives is that they are solid, reliable and trustworthy. They focus on the child's needs above all else."
"Irwin Mitchell have a wide pool of skilful professionals that are dedicated and passionate in listening to their clients, preparing meticulously and being a forceful advocate."
"Irwin Mitchell are a very well-oiled machine and have a 360-degree knowledge of the sector."
"Irwin Mitchell has a very strong education team with notable experts."
"The nature of Irwin Mithcell's legal representatives is that they are solid, reliable and trustworthy. They focus on the child's needs above all else."
"Irwin Mitchell have a wide pool of skilful professionals that are dedicated and passionate in listening to their clients, preparing meticulously and being a forceful advocate."
Notable Practitioners
Angela Jackman specialises in SEN and community care cases. She is noted in particular for her proficiency in school admission tribunals.
"Angela Jackman is an excellent and very conscientious solicitor who clients always feel they can trust. She has an approachable manner and is able to explain the law well to lay clients."
"Her expertise in mental health and community care adds a useful dimension to her education work."
"Angela is a brilliant education lawyer."
Esther Salter leads the national education law team from Irwin Mitchell's Gatwick office. She specialises in representing parents, children, and young people in SEND matters and regularly appears in both the First-Tier and Upper Tribunal.
Ranked Lawyers at
Irwin Mitchell
UK-wide