SWALA is holding an Education Law seminar/webinar on Wednesday, 13 November 2024 (new confirmed date) hosted by DAC Beachcroft solicitors at their Bristol office (Portwall Place, Portwall Lane, Bristol BS1 9HS).
Education law is an area ripe for judicial review challenges, particularly in the current economic climate where local authorities are facing significant deficits in their budgets. By way of example, public law issues can arise in relation to school exclusions, failures to secure provision in Education, Health and Care Plans for pupils with special educational needs, school absences, and policy decisions by public authorities, all of which may be amenable to challenge by way of judicial review.
10 years on since the Children and Families Act 2014 received Royal Assent, there appears to be a consensus from schools, local authorities and families that the system isn’t functioning as it should be. We will hear from a panel of solicitors and barristers who act for those on all sides of the experience, and have an opportunity to discuss this important and increasingly topical area of law.
We will hear from a panel of specialist solicitors and barristers who act for those on all sides of the experience, including:
- Ollie Persey, public law and human rights barrister at Garden Court Chambers. Ollie won the Legal Aid Newcomer award at the Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards this year, and is a champion for equality and disability rights. He has acted in a number of important judicial review challenges in the sector, including the recent case of L, R (On the Application Of) v Hampshire County Council [2024] EWHC 1928 (Admin) which reiterated a local authority’s “absolute duty” to secure special educational provision in an Education, Health and Care Plan, and addressed the factors the Court must consider when deciding whether to grant a mandatory order.
- Tom Crisp, associate solicitor at DAC Beachcroft LLP specialising in public law, corporate and information governance and regulatory matters, particularly within the health, local government and education sectors. Tom will speak to us about the recent High Court case of Swalcliffe Park School, R (On the Application Of) v Wokingham Borough Council & Anor [2023] EWHC 1451 (Admin), whereby a special school challenged Wokingham Borough Council’s decision to name it in an Education, Health and Care Plan.
- Caroline Barrett, Partner at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP specialising in education, community care and Court of Protection (health and welfare) law. Caroline has acted in a number of judicial review claims involving systemic public law issues, including R (MI & Ors) v London Borough of Waltham Forest [2021] EWHC 281 (Admin), which challenged significant cuts to special educational needs funding in Waltham Forest. Caroline will speak to us about the legal issues surrounding the controversial Safety Valve Agreements that local authorities across the country have entered into with the Department for Education in return for additional funding and investment from central government.
There will also be an opportunity to ask questions and discuss this important and increasingly topical area of law.
Registration will begin at 5pm.
Refreshments will be provided.
Please register your attendance by contacting SWALA committee member, Beth Parr (beth.parr@rislaw.co.uk). When doing so, please state whether you wish to attend remotely or in person, and if you have any dietary or access requirements. The event is free of charge.
South West Administrative Lawyers Association 