39 Essex Chambers is well-recognised for its expertise in the education sector, with a varied practice the barristers work on education claims for judicial reviews, tribunal appeals, discrimination, educational negligence and employment matters. Rory Dunlop KC acted for the school in Wells v Eastbourne College, which concerned the definition of disability as applied to teenagers at school. Steve Broach KC represented the claimant in R (AA and CC) v Secretary of State for Education, concerning the ability of the first-tier tribunal to order schools to pay damages for disability discrimination. Jennifer Thelen acts as junior counsel for the defendant in Free Speech Union v Secretary of State for Education, where the claimant challenged the Labour government’s decision not to commence the Higher Education (Free Speech) Act. Matthew Wyard joined the team in August 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The strong clerking team at 39 Essex Chambers is one of the reasons that they stand out from their competitors. In particular, Theo Mitchell, is incredibly proactive and competent.'
  • 'Fantastic set, with a great location and great clerking team.'
  • 'The clerks are all brilliant and very helpful.'
  • '39 Essex Chambers have a number of excellent barristers who deal with special educational needs matters.' 
  • '39 Essex has a justifiably strong reputation in the field of public law generally and education in particular.'
  • '39 do the whole gamut of education cases from SEN, equalities, schools, universities, funding, regulation and governance.'

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.

2024 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.

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.

4
Matthew Wyard
Matthew is a particularly skilled advocate. His technical legal skills are second to none. I have been very impressed by the quality of his drafting and ability to deliver pragmatic and realistic advice to clients.’

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.