3PB Direct

How much experience do you have in this area?

I qualified as a barrister in 2005 and have specialised in employment and education law for over 14 years.

Legal Expertise

I act for parents and young people, local authorities and education providers (e.g. schools, colleges, early years settings), as well as employers/employees in the education sector.
I am a specialist in the law relating to special educational needs. This means that I’m also familiar with the legal issues that may arise in relation to home-school transport, the health and social care needs of children and young people with special educational needs, and questions around a young person’s mental capacity.

I have a lot of experience conducting appeals and claims before the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) in relation to:
  • Education, Health and Care (EHC) needs assessments and EHC plans, and
  • Disability discrimination claims against schools – relating to school exclusions and other matters.
Many of my cases before the SEND Tribunal have involved young people with complex needs who are in transition to adulthood and seeking, for example, a placement at specialist residential college.
I also represent clients in relation to:
  • Equality Act 2010 claims in the civil courts, e.g. in disability discrimination claims against universities
  • Challenging the actions of public bodies by judicial review (e.g. the failure of a local authority to arrange the special educational provision in a child’s EHC plan)
  • School admissions appeals
  • Independent Review Panels (i.e. school exclusions)
  • Employment disputes between employers/employees in the education sector. I have acted in many cases before the Employment Tribunal relating to staff at early years settings and schools.
I act for claimants and respondents in employment tribunal proceedings. I represent clients at hearings, and I’ve also help clients to resolve their disputes without going to a hearing. I’ve undertaken a number of successful judicial and private mediations as an Accredited Mediation Advocate.I also advise in relation to employment problems that are occurring, before any claim is brought, e.g. in relation to work place grievances, or where an employee is on long-term sickness absence.

I offer particular expertise in relation to disability and other discrimination cases with a personal injury mental health aspect. Many of my cases have involved employees who are suffering from depression and stress at work.

I have a particular interest in the education sector.

To contact Katherine

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