John Halford > Bindmans LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Demonstrating vast experience in a broad range of education law matters, such as acting for children with Special Educational Needs in judicial reviews and tribunals, the Bindmans LLP education law practice also acts in discrimination, safeguarding and free speech cases within the education sector, as well as acting for clients in admissions, exclusions and education transport cases. Karen May heads the team, specialising in judicial review and tribunal cases and is praised as ‘a real leader in the field’. Other key members of the team are John Halford with a focus on judicial reviews and litigation; crime, fraud and regulatory partner Kate Goold who is reputed for her extradition work, and Alex Temple who ‘is clearly the next big thing in education law’.

Bindmans LLP houses ‘an outstanding admin and public law team with exceptional practitioners covering a full range of public law issues’. The practice is headed by John Halford, who is highly recommended for his skills in judicial review and public law challenges. Paul Ridge is ‘a great lawyer with huge knowledge of inquiries’, while the ‘outstanding’ Emma Varley is noted for her experience acting for children in education-related judicial reviews. Shirin Marker and Jessie Brennan are further standout members of the team. Marker regularly acts for victims of trafficking and age-disputed minors, while Brennan has experience with immigration detention cases. The team has been strengthened with the addition of Alice Hardy, who joined from Hodge Jones & Allen in June 2023. Hardy has particular expertise in matters relating to women’s rights and protest law. Nancy Collins joined the firm from Hodge Jones & Allen in September 2024. Salima Budhani left the firm in May 2024

Boasting a ‘unique pedigree’ in pioneering civil liberties work, Bindmans LLP is lauded for its strong credentials in immigration law, actions against the police and state, protests and freedom of assembly matters, inquests, inquiries, and victims’ rights in criminal trials. A reliable adviser for applications to the ECtHR, the team is engaged in a wide range of individual and group claims with high public interest and national impact. The esteemed John Halford, whose interests lie in judicial review litigation, heads up the general public law team, supported by ‘skilled tactician’ Alice Hardy, who joined the firm from Hodge Jones & Allen in June 2023, and acts for a wide variety of clients encompassing NGOs, environmental groups, and vulnerable individuals. Jules Carey demonstrates ‘creative flare’ in leading the actions against the police and state team, assisted by Anna Thwaites, whose ‘razor sharp legal mind’ is best deployed in high-profile and contentious inquests. On the criminal law front, Tayab Ali is active in human rights claims at both national and international level. Rachel Harger is a ‘formidable opponent’ in actions asserting the right to protests, while Shirin Marker acts prolifically in citizen deprivation appeals. Salima Budhani left the firm in April 2024.