Education: Individuals: UK-wide

"The biggest provider for the sector," this team remains a giant in the field of education law. It is praised as being "extremely knowledgeable," "caring and highly competent," and the lawyers "help well beyond the call of duty." The team handles a vast number of claims, and has earned a reputation for pushing the boundaries of special education needs (SEN) law. A recent highlight was representing a young boy who was asked to leave the school on his first day of secondary school because of his hairstyle. A High Court ruling found that the school had acted inappropriately and would in future have to change its uniform code to reflect different ethnic or cultural practices.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Angela Jackman receives widespread praise and gets "some of the best work in the field." She maintains a busy practice and recently represented the claimant in the aforementioned hair-braiding High Court case. She is respected by opponents, who say "she is a hard person to have on the other side as she takes all of the best points."

"Parent-friendly" Eleanor Wright has "a brilliant legal mind" and "vast knowledge" of education law. "Able to remember complex details," she is "committed to the firm's mission to help parents on low incomes" and "every parent's case receives the high level of consideration needed."

Oliver Studdert is a "very capable solicitor" who is "very good at what he does." He is praised for his "imaginative and creative" approach to cases, and is "able to see all of the issues."

Elaine Maxwell heads the education department and has been heavily involved in a number of cases dealing with SEN, particularly student placements.

Emily Gent recently returned from sabbatical, and has been involved in a number of cases that have improved the rights of parents when looking at cost considerations.

This Birmingham-based team represents a significant number of claimants in admissions and exclusions cases against the local education authorities across the country, and particularly in the Midlands. It has recently been strengthened with the arrival of new head of education Simon Ramshaw.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Ramshaw is the key contact here.

This compact team has "outstanding" counsel who provide "sage advice" in cases that are often emotional in nature, and who are able to "keep clients on target in terms of the root elements of the case." The recently expanded team specialises in SEN cases, and represents claimants in the Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Douglas Silas is "without doubt a top-notch lawyer" who "understands special educational needs" and helps clients "weave through all the myriad complex issues." One grateful source said: "Without his specialist knowledge and ability to argue points of law we would not have made the progress we did."

Based in Glasgow, this "first-class" team represents claimants against councils at both school and university level, and also undertakes judicial reviews in education law. It is "friendly and supportive at all times," and "has great understanding of the education sector and know the law in this area inside-out."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Iain Nisbet "has a level of knowledge and experience about education law that no one else in Scotland does." Sources say he "takes the burden of dealing with the education establishment off your shoulders at a time when you are already stressed."

This "thorough and excellent" team "works very hard for its clients" and specialises in education law, community care law, data protection, human rights and challenges to the public authorities. Armed with "knowledge and experience," the firm continues to impress sources in the sector with its dedication. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Managing partner John Ford is extremely experienced in education matters. According to sources, he "has an excellent grasp of education law, is co-operative in his approach and has excellent client care skills."

Karen May "is very calm and professional in her approach to cases." "Organised and very committed, she has a very good understanding of education and community care law, particularly as it applies to children."

The "tenacious" Helen Gill "cares very deeply about her clients' cases." "She works extremely hard and has real empathy with her clients who are often in difficult situations." She is especially recommended for her work in judicial reviews.

Based in Gloucester, this "down-to-earth" team is "organised, personable and approachable," and the lawyers are "good at listening and sifting through information to get at the heart of a case." The team has a strong reputation in the sector, and is able to advise on SEN, post-16 provisions, admissions and exclusions and disability discrimination claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Imelda Brennan is the key contact.

Best known as a public law firm, Leigh Day's education team is particularly known for its high-end work in the sector. It advises clients on a broad range of issues, such as challenges to the local authority in cases where the authority is proposing to change the education provision, and challenges to the secretary of state regarding the closure or setting up of schools.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Alison Millar is an expert in public and administrative law, with a particular emphasis on education law. She regularly represents claimants in disability discrimination claims in the First-tier Tribunal and the Upper Tribunal. 

This team "really knows its stuff" and "is staying true to the disability and SEN nature of the practice." Able to "work cases very well," the team advises clients on SEN, admissions and exclusions, and school transport.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Chris Barnett heads the department.

This team is "thorough, with a clear understanding of the individual's needs," say interviewees, who also praise its "professionalism and unconditional support." The team advises on all aspects of education, but is noted particularly for its work dealing with further and higher education cases. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Anita Chopra gets "straight to the point" and is able to "give the pros and cons – and wasn't shy about the cons." She maintains a broad practice, representing parents and children of school age. 

This firm is an emerging force in the field, and is developing an increasing profile, having seen several recent cases reach the High Court and Court of Appeal. The team advises on SEN, and is praised for its work in cases involving medical negligence and personal injury. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Janata Ali is praised for her "high level of commitment to her cases," her "expertise" in the law and her "tenacious approach."

This specialist team produces "excellent work" and shows a "good understanding of education issues." It deals with a large number of SEN and disability discrimination appeals. Sources were effusive in their praise, agreeing that the team is "very professional, reliable, understanding and knowledgeable." 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Founding member Melinda Nettleton is an experienced litigator who "really knows her field and understands what parents go through." She maintains an exceptionally busy practice dealing with many appeals.

Karen McAtamney is praised for "going beyond what was expected to ensure that material and evidence was always available, as well as putting in unsocial hours as needed." She is noted for her work in formal submissions to the First-tier Tribunal.