Ranking tables

Education: Individuals | UK

UK-wide

This table highlights lawyers and law firms who act on behalf of pupils and their parents in matters such as special educational needs (SEN), admissions and exclusions, disability discrimination claims, judicial review cases, disputes with private schools, and transport to school issues. The firms ranked here may undertake either privately or publicly funded work.

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1

Band 1

  1. Simpson Millar LLP
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Boyes Turner
    2
    Boyes Turner
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked
    Boyes Turner has a respected practice noted for its representation of parents and children with special educational needs. The team frequently assists with appeals to the SEND Tribunal regarding school placements. It is particularly adept at assisting with cases involving social care and deprivation of liberty considerations.
  2. Geldards LLP
    2
    Geldards LLP
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 2 | 3 Years Ranked
    Geldards has a dedicated education team that offers specialist expertise in SEN matters and demonstrates extensive experience in the SEND Tribunal. The team regularly acts for parents and students regarding Education, Health and Care Plans and appeals, as well as disability discrimination claims.
  3. Irwin Mitchell
    2
    Irwin Mitchell
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 2 | 14 Years Ranked
    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.
  4. 2
    Sinclairslaw (incorporating John Ford Solicitors and Match Solicitors)
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 2 | 28 Years Ranked
    Sinclairslaw is a prominent firm with longstanding expertise and a solid reputation in education. The firm represents parents and individuals in legal challenges against the decisions of schools, universities and local authorities. Its practitioners have strong experience in equality law, SEND Tribunal work and human rights-related claims. The team is well known for providing advice to parents of children with learning difficulties.
3

Band 3

  1. Doyle Clayton
    3
    Doyle Clayton
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Doyle Clayton is an impressive firm with proficiency in employment matters related to the education sector. The team frequently handles cases concerning discrimination, dishonesty, bullying and gross misconduct, as well as redundancy and retirement age disputes. The firm possesses additional expertise in immigration issues. It is also adept at providing representation in employment tribunals, judicial reviews and internal investigations and appeals.
  2. Shoosmiths LLP
    3
    Shoosmiths LLP
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Shoosmiths has a dedicated education practice noted for its adept representation of parents and young people. The team regularly assists with appeals to the SEND Tribunal against local authorities following refusal to issue Education, Health and Care Plans. The team also handles claims of inadequate provision in relation to issues such as home to school transport, one-to-one teaching assistance, and speech and language therapy.
  3. Rook Irwin Sweeney
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 3
  4. SEN Legal
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Bindmans LLP
    4
    Bindmans LLP
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Bindmans has a well-regarded practice which sees the firm act in tribunals and judicial review challenges on behalf of parents and children with special educational needs. The team is recommended for its work on admissions, exclusions and discrimination. It draws on the firm's wider public law expertise to challenge decisions and pursue policy changes.
  2. Russell-Cooke
    4
    Russell-Cooke
    Education: Individuals
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Russell-Cooke has a notable education practice that sees its lawyers advise individual claimants in SEN cases. The firm has a strong emphasis on claims involving disability discrimination, specialist school placements and the Equality Act. It has substantial expertise in handling complex cases that overlap between the areas of children and education law. The team frequently utilises judicial review to hold local authorities to account for unlawful conduct.