Ranking tables
Education | UK Bar
London (Bar)
Rankings overview for Sets
Senior Statespeople
Band 1
- David Wolfe KCMatrix Chambers
- Fiona Scolding KCLandmark Chambers
- Helen Mountfield KCMatrix Chambers
- Peter Oldham KC11KBW
Band 2
- Andrew Sharland KC 11KBW22 Years Ranked
- Ian Wise KCMonckton Chambers
- Jonathan Moffett KC11KBW
- Nigel Giffin KC11KBW
Band 3
- Aileen McColgan KC 11KBW10 Years Ranked
- Joanne Clement KC 11KBW14 Years Ranked
- Jonathan Auburn KC 11KBW20 Years Ranked
- Mathew Purchase KC Matrix Chambers18 Years Ranked
- Daniel Squires KCMatrix Chambers
- Fenella Morris KC39 Essex Chambers
- Galina Ward KCLandmark Chambers
- Nicholas Bowen KCDoughty Street Chambers
- Rory Dunlop KC39 Essex Chambers
- Sarah Hannett KCMatrix Chambers
New Silks
- Claire Darwin KC Matrix Chambers14 Years Ranked
- Katherine Apps KC 39 Essex Chambers12 Years Ranked
- Nicholas Armstrong KCMatrix Chambers
- Steve Broach KC39 Essex Chambers
Band 1
- Tom Cross 11KBW11 Years Ranked
- David LawsonSerjeants' Inn Chambers
- Paul Greatorex11KBW
Band 2
Band 3
- Alice de Coverley 3PB Barristers4 Years Ranked
- Anna Tkaczynska Serjeants' Inn Chambers9 Years Ranked
- Katherine Eddy 11KBW10 Years Ranked
- Laith Dilaimi Old Square Chambers5 Years Ranked
- Shazia Akhtar Gatehouse Chambers6 Years Ranked
- Alexander LineOuter Temple Chambers
- Anna Bicarregui39 Essex Chambers
- John Friel3PB Barristers
- Raj DesaiMatrix Chambers
Band 4
- Emma Waldron 3PB Barristers4 Years Ranked
- Harini Iyengar 11KBW9 Years Ranked
- Jane Oldham 11KBW21 Years Ranked
- Mark Greaves Matrix Chambers4 Years Ranked
- Matthew Wyard 3PB Barristers3 Years Ranked
- Zoe Gannon 11KBW4 Years Ranked
- Amelia Walker1 Crown Office Row
- Deborah HayDeborah Hay
- Gráinne MellonGarden Court Chambers
- Jennifer Agyekum3PB Barristers
- Jennifer Thelen39 Essex Chambers
- Katherine Barnes39 Essex Chambers
- Lachlan Wilson3PB Barristers
- Louise PriceDoughty Street Chambers
Up and Coming
- Jake Rylatt Serjeants' Inn Chambers1 Years Ranked
- Alice IrvingDoughty Street Chambers
- Ben Mitchell11KBW
All Sets profiles
Band 1
1 11KBWEducation2024 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked11KBW retains its reputation as a leading set for education matters, and houses a deep bench of barristers experienced in handling the full range of disputes. Particular areas of strength for the team include cases concerning SEN, discrimination claims and examination disputes, and members are regularly called upon to act for universities, schools and local authorities, as well as teachers, parents and students. The set's barristers also field expertise in school reorganisations, admissions and exclusions, and employment disputes arising in the education sector. 11KBW appeared before the Supreme Court in a test case, Re T (A Child) 2022, considering the circumstances in which a child below the age of 16 can be deprived of liberty for the purposes of Article 5 of the ECHR. A commentator notes: "11KBW is a very strong set for any education law matters, student disputes and responding to regulatory or inspectorate actions."1 Matrix ChambersEducation2024 | Band 1 | 20 Years RankedMatrix Chambers houses a deep bench of experienced barristers who are noted for their extensive expertise in education law matters. The set's enviable client base includes several local authorities, the Department for Education and Ofsted, as well as schools, colleges, universities and individual students and parents. Members are regularly called upon to act for and advise on education judicial review challenges and disputes concerning SEN, discrimination, safeguarding, exclusions and school closures. Recently, Matrix Chambers represented Holland Park School Parents Collective and the National Education Union in challenging the government's decision to close the school and turn it into a multi-academy trust. An interviewee remarks: "Matrix Chambers is our go-to for education disputes because they are able to offer us a number of options at different levels. All the barristers who are put forward have significant experience in education matters."
Band 2
2 39 Essex ChambersEducation2024 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked39 Essex Chambers offers extensive expertise covering a wide range of education matters. The set's barristers are particularly well regarded for their handling of cases concerning the higher education sector, including challenges to grant decisions and admissions, and claims involving allegations of discrimination and procedural unfairness. Members have additional expertise in claims for judicial reviews concerning SEN funding and employment claims within the education sector. The team acts on behalf of a enviable roster of clients, including the Secretary of State for Education, higher education institutions, local authorities, schools and parents. Recently, 39 Essex members acted in Sixsmith v Secretary of State for Education in challenge to the government's consultation on its Special Education Needs Green Paper, which outlines proposals for reform. An interviewee comments: "39 Essex is a leading set of chambers in all respects. Its barristers are highly competent and quickly able to pick up and get to grips with detailed instructions."
Band 3
3 3PB BarristersEducation2024 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked3PB Barristers is a well-regarded set with an impressive offering in the education sector. Members are experienced in the handling of a broad range of matters, including school admissions and exclusions, special educational needs and discrimination claims. The team also offers expertise in disciplinary matters arising in the higher education sector. The set's varied client base encompasses several education institutions, such as schools, universities and academies, as well as pupils, governing bodies and NGOs, and its barristers regularly appear before the First-tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal and Court of Appeal. 3PB acted for the claimant in London Borough of Croydon v K-A 2022, in an appeal relating to the statutory interpretation of 'unreasonable public expenditure' in relation to Section 9 of the Education Act 1996. One interviewee remarks: "The quality of legal advice, detailed submissions and clear sensitivity towards vulnerable clients have been impressive. 3PB also has strong and calm conduct of contentious cases."3 Landmark ChambersEducation2024 | Band 3 | 4 Years RankedThe barristers at Landmark Chambers are regularly called upon to act for and advise on a wide range of education matters. Areas of strength for the team include discrimination claims, school closures and safeguarding issues. Members are also well regarded for their expertise in advisory work concerning children with special educational needs, and have significant experience of appearing in SEN hearings. The set's client base includes several further education institutions, academies and universities, as well as local authorities, government organisations and individual parents. Members at Landmark acted for the Westminster School in an extensive independent review into sexually harmful behaviour between peers. An interviewee remarks: "Landmark Chambers produce fantastic work. They are approachable and always deliver extremely high standards."