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England - London Bar
1

Education

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Matrix Chambers

More information
Barristers at Matrix Chambers are known for their excellent handling of education law matters for an array of clients, including individual students or parents, as well as the Department of Education and a variety of statutory bodies. David Wolfe KC and Katy Sheridan acted for the claimants in R (Bowen) v Kent County Council, challenging the decision of Kent County Council to refuse to consider a humanist for membership of local authority Standing Advisory Councils on Religious Education. Claire Darwin KC represented the Department of Education in a judicial review against admission arrangements, including the nomination of a primary school as a feeder school, for Langley Park School for Boys and Langley Park School for Girls for the September 2023 intake were challenged as unfair. Nick Armstrong KC is lauded for being ‘particularly good at difficult cross-examination in the context of the girst-tier tribunal, knowing exactly when and to what extent to ask the difficult questions, whilst displaying a sense of empathy’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Matrix is a go to set with an exceptional team of education law counsel with a wide variety of knowledge and experience.'
  • 'Very good for higher education and equality matters, matters relating to students, freedom of expression - good sector knowledge: invaluable.'
  • 'Brilliant set. One of the best in the market place.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Helen Mountfield KC
Helen is an absolute powerhouse and a go-to for the complex governance and risk matters that arise in the higher education sector. She has a unique platform drawing on her role as Head of House for an Oxford College, and is able to cut through to the issues in a pragmatic and user-friendly way at rocket like speed.’
1
David Wolfe KC
‘David is prompt and incisive in terms of his advice, has an unrivalled level of experience in education law, thinks creatively, is an excellent black letter lawyer and is always open to bringing novel challenges. His pleadings are always superb and he is a very well-respected advocate due to the level of expertise, his eloquence and his persuasion.’
2
Sarah Hannett KC
‘Sarah is incredibly bright. Her analysis is razor sharp and methodical; she is able to present incredibly complex issues in a way that seems straightforward and clear.’
2
Mathew Purchase KC
Mathew is astute and sensible, giving practical advice, clear and concise, applies law to the facts. His drafting is brilliant and he is fantastic to work with, responsive and reliable, really cares about his cases.’
2
Daniel Squires KC
'A huge brain- very analytical. Daniel is instructed for complex investigations involving analysis of how the Equality Act applies in school cases and is really excellent on rights colliding cases.'

2023 Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

1
Nick Armstrong KC
Quick grasp of the detail, strategic, client friendly and a pleasure to work with.’
1
Claire Darwin KC
Claire is an authority on all matters relating to discrimination within the field of education law. Her calm and assured advocacy skills are particularly sought after. She is personable and highly accomplished.’

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

3
Raj Desai
‘Raj is an excellent barrister – his oral advocacy is measured, fluent and well informed. He knows how to read a room and is also an exceptionally strong analytical lawyer – he would always be among the very first choices of senior junior in an education case.’

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.

1
Mark Greaves
‘Mark is excellent. His work is thorough and fair, and he certainly wins the trust of both parties. His written outcome is well reasoned, clear and helpfully structured.’ 
1
Katy Sheridan
‘Key strengths are how quickly she sees points, her legal knowledge, and also, for one so junior, her judgement.’