Sarah Hannett KC > Matrix Chambers > London, England > Barrister Profile
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Sarah Hannett KC
Position
Specialist in public law, human rights, discrimination and education. Recent cases include R v. Mackinlay [2018] UKSC 42 (notional election expenses), R (Steinfeld and Keidan) v. SSID [2018] UKSC 32 (opposite sex civil partnerships), Reilly v. Sandwell MBC [2018] UKSC 16 (whether dismissal of headteacher unfair), R (DSD) v. Parole Board [2018] EWHC 694 (Admin) (lawfulness of release of John Warboys), R (Elan-Cane) v. SSHD [2018] EWHC 1530 (Admin) (issue of passports with ungendered sex marker), Re M (Children) [2017] EWCA Civ 2164 (contact arrangements between trans father and children), and R (Al-Hijrah) v. Ofsted [2017] EWCA Civ 1426 (whether segregation of pupils constituted sex discrimination).
Career
Called 2003; Lincoln’s Inn; Attorney General’s Panel of Counsel (A Panel) (2017); Equality and Human Rights Commission Panel of Counsel (B Panel) (2015); Pegasus Scholar (at the Center for Constitutional Rights in New York) (2008); lecturer in law, King’s College, London (2000-05). Publications of note: ‘Special Educational Needs and Disability’ (with Aileen McColgan and Elizabeth Prochaska) (2017); contributor to Richard McManus QC, ‘Education and the Courts’ (2012).
Memberships
ALBA; PEBA; HRLA; ELAS.
Education
Millfield School; Penrice School; University of Nottingham (1998 LLB); McGill University (1999 LLM).
Lawyer Rankings
London Bar > Education
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2Sarah Hannett KC – Matrix Chambers ‘In Sarah’s work as an independent investigator of complex and sensitive matters, she works in a supportive yet independent manner as set out in her terms of reference.’
Matrix Chambers is noted for its wide-reaching expertise in education law, with a growing reputation for acting in case law-shaping cases for schools, universities, individuals, and governmental bodies. Recent highlights include David Wolfe KC‘s appearance challenging the Government’s conversion of London’s Holland Park School into part of a multi-academy trust, with notable implications for the national academisation program. Sarah Hannett KC advised the University of Essex on a high-profile threatened judicial review surrounding the university’s harassment policies. Daniel Squires KC conducted a noteworthy investigation into an independent school’s teaching of politically sensitive issues, while Helen Mountfield KC represented a visually impaired student in a race and disability discrimination claim against the Oxford Union after he was removed from a debate by security staff. The set’s profile was further bolstered with Claire Darwin KC and Nick Armstrong KC taking silk in 2023.
London Bar > Court of Protection and community care
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 3Sarah Hannett KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Sarah goes the extra mile to assist. She is conscientious and willing to pursue cutting-edge cases. She is not afraid to practice outside her comfort zone. She is a public law expert due to the length of her practice and the range of cases she has taken. Her drafting is excellent, as are her advocacy and her interpersonal skills.’
London Bar > Local government (including rating law)
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 2Sarah Hannett – Matrix Chambers ‘Very knowledgeable and able to deal with work very well.’
London Bar > Administrative law and human rights
(Leading Silks)Ranked: Tier 4Sarah Hannett KC – Matrix Chambers ‘Sarah’s grounds are always clear and concise, her advice sensitive and perceptive and most importantly, realistic. She is also incredibly knowledgeable.’