Education: Individuals: London & UK-wide

Peers agree that this long-standing team is a highly influential one, and commend its commitment to the sector. The wider firm's specialism in community care complements its education practice, and interviewees are particularly impressed with its expertise in Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal (SENDIST), judicial reviews and admissions, exclusions and disability cases. The firm recently became a wholly owned subsidiary of Simpson Millar, which increases its national reach to cover Birmingham and Gateshead as well as its original Lancaster base.

Client Service "It always goes the extra mile."

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "skilful" Angela Jackman continues to impress peers and clients with her work in education-related judicial reviews. She is currently acting in a high-profile judicial review involving a school which banned boys from braiding their hair; the case covers issues of both race and sex discrimination. Eleanor Wright is lauded for her tribunal work on behalf of children with special educational needs (SEN), whilst Elaine Maxwell is praised for the breadth of her education practice. Maxwell is leading several cases concerning non-admissions of those with special educational needs, as well as advising on special needs provisions post-16 years old. Sources agree that firm director Emily Gent works "quickly and accurately" on cases which involve significant levels of community care provisions. Oliver Studdert is recommended for his strength in litigious education matters.

This team wins high praise for its education and disability practice; market sources agree that it is "making waves" in the sector with its "ability to surgically cut through the overwhelming mass of information and get down to the salient elements." It is particularly noted for its expert handling of appeals before the SENDIST and its work negotiating settlements with local authorities. Clients praise the "tight and helpful unit of staff" as well as highlighting the firm's informative website on special educational needs as a hugely useful resource.

Client Service "The team focuses our thinking as a client and offers genuine empathy."  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Firm head Douglas Silas remains a much-revered education law practitioner who "knows the industry inside and out." Sources agree that "the moment you sit down with him he is committed to winning the fight for your child." 

This compact North London-based firm is dedicated to advising individuals on education law, and regularly handles judicial reviews and SENDIST appeals. Sources praise its ethos and team work, commenting that "as a firm it works together like a family, and as a client you feel like part of that family."

Client Service "Its lawyers are great at communicating and I am very appreciative of their patience. It is also excellent at supplying the extras such as an independent psychologist and social workers."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department chair John Ford offers extensive experience of education law. Clients praise his "pleasant, polite and professional approach," adding that they always have total confidence in his advice. Karen May is an education and community care law specialist. She frequently acts in judicial review cases which involve an overlap between the duties of the social services and the education department.

This specialist education law firm excels across the board, representing individuals from the childhood development stage right through to those in postgraduate study. Recent work includes challenging degree classifications by a London university as well as a case involving the failure of a college to provide reasonable adjustments for a disabled student. In addition, it has been acting for parents in disputes over the non-payment of fees.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anita Chopra leads the schools and children department, and is highly regarded for her work on behalf of individuals with SEN. Salima Mawji is a further and higher education specialist and is held in high esteem for her representation of students before both internal panels and the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education.

This Gloucester-based firm undertakes a high volume of education work, and is particularly well versed in SENDIST, exclusion, school admission and point of law appeals, as well as handling judicial reviews against local authorities.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Imelda Brennan is a key contact.

This education practice has grown out of strong public, health and disability departments, all of which have impressive judicial review expertise. Peers comment favourably on its dedication to defending human rights and it is particularly active in cases relating to SEN, as well as matters concerning the effects of maintained schools converting to academies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alison Millar "shows an impressive commitment to the client and is always careful to explain the best legal outcome." She continues to represent clients before SENDIST in relation to SEN statements, as well as handling disability discrimination claims.

This team is best known for its dedicated service to those with disabilities or SEN. It handles a combination of private and publicly funded work across the spectrum of issues including admissions, exclusions, transport difficulties and unlawful local education authority policies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Barnett is the key contact.