Acting for children, young people and their families, Irwin Mitchell‘s education department covers all aspects of education law including special educational needs, disability discrimination and judicial reviews. Based in Sheffield, Yogi Amin is head of the public law and human rights department and leads the firm’s national education practice. Angela Jackman KC (Hon) in London handles issues at the intersection of education, mental capacity and human rights, and Oliver Studdert is adept in children’s rights, community care and court of protection work. Rachael Smurthwaite has particular experience in dealing with SEND cases involving individuals with autistic spectrum disorder, and on education judicial review challenges. Associate Esther Salter who joined the firm from Simpson Millar LLP in March 2023 further strengthens the teams’ SEND work.
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Testimonials
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‘Rachael Smurthwaite has been extremely positive, responsive and successful in achieving a positive outcome for our son’s EHCP to get the college placement that was most suitable for him. This work has spanned several academic years as we have needed Rachael’s intervention each year at annual review to maintain this placement.’
‘The Team encourages diversity and, in my experience with the firm, it encompasses a great degree of clients, including parents of children with significant learning and medical needs, who ordinarily require significant adaptations.’
‘Esther Salter is a fabulous team player and communicator. She is highly effective in resolving disputes in advance of hearings. She brings parties together and skillfully facilitates communication, having her client's best interest in mind but also looking for realistic solutions. She is an innovative person, also looking to skill up colleagues and improve the quality of the services delivered.'
- 'Lauren Haines is an excellent communicator, always making herself available to support and diminish any difficulties in communicating to various parties. She is positive and highly effective, whilst being acutely aware and respecting professional boundaries.’
‘A top tier education law team that has grown in strength considerably in recent years.’
‘Angela Jackman and Ollie Studdert are the standout with many years of top education law experience behind them.’
‘The team at Irwin Mitchell are highly efficient and effective at collaborating in support of families who are in need of their expertise around children's special educational needs. There is a culture of "excellent listening" and then of providing appropriate action which is wholly focused upon how best to address the often complex layers of a child's special educational needs. Their trustworthiness - to keep a child's rights and best interests central in all circumstances - is a particularly valuable feature, in my view.’
‘Esther Salter couples the provision of consistently excellent support and legal expertise with equally consistent and excellent, empathetic efforts to understand what is needed for a child's special educational needs. Esther always listens to what is shared and then unpicks the legal options that are available with an awareness of the need for a timely response. I highly recommend her services and legal expertise without reservation.’
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Yogi Amin