Education Law Solicitors

Whether you are a student or parent, if you are concerned about the way you or a child has been treated by an educational institution, getting expert legal advice from impartial education solicitors can make a real difference.

What types of education cases do we deal with?

IBB’s specialist and dedicated education solicitors deal with the following range of cases:

Schools and Children

• Bullying
• Cyberbullying
• Discrimination
• Disputes against Independent Schools
• Negligence
• Oversubscribed School Admissions Appeal
• Safeguarding in schools
• School Admissions
• School Complaints
• School Exclusions
• Special Educational Needs
• Transgender Questioning School Children

Further and Higher Education Law

• Academic Failure
• Academic Misconduct
• Academic Plagiarism
• Allegations of Sexual Misconduct at University
• Allegations of Violence at University
• Complaints to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA)
• Degree Classification Issues
• Discrimination in Higher Education
• Drunk and Disorderly Charges at University
• Fitness to Practise
• LGBTIQA+ Rights at University
• Mental Health at University
• Problems with PhD
• Racial Discrimination Higher Education
• Religious Discrimination at University
• UK Education Law Advice for International Students
• University Breach of Contract, Negligence and/or Discrimination
• University Disciplinary Issues
• University Exam Appeals
• University Fee Issues and Disputes
• Withdrawal from University

We only act on behalf of children, students and their parents. We do all we can to ensure they receive the education to which they are entitled and are treated fairly. We do not act on behalf of schools, colleges or universities, so you can be sure we are committed to achieving the best outcome for you.

All members of our education legal team have chosen to pursue their careers in helping children and young people throughout their education, from overcoming school admissions challenges and all the way through to supporting young adults at university. We are 100% education focused. Our team only practice law in the field of education. This is what we do.

Please note that we are only able to take on cases on a privately paying basis. If you are unable to privately fund your case, or you looking for general guidance on what actions you can take to protect you or your child’s education rights, you can contact Citizens Advice.

Education law is a complex and complicated area of the law, frequently involving a variety of issues and different forms of legal redress, as well as different forums to achieve the right outcome.  Therefore, when there is the need to challenge an academic institution, whether a school, college or university, it is not unnatural to feel confused about your or your child’s rights. Neither is it uncommon to be unsure or anxious about the process for raising an issue, as well as  the potential remedies and legal rights that you or your child may be entitled to because of the actions and behaviour of the academic institution.

At IBB Law, we have specialist expertise in our expert education solicitors, advising clients facing a variety of education law challenges. All our lawyers are specialist in the field of education law. They spend 100% of their day helping children, students, young people and adults. They do not act on behalf of schools, colleges or universities.  We can assist with any education law issue that a child, parent or a student faces.   We can provide an initial fixed fee consultation to advise on the merits of the case. We can then provide further support to achieve your objective of achieving justice for you or your child. Get in touch today.

Here are some examples of our work

• Persuaded university to give student second chance in a module, so the student could achieve a 2:1.
• School agrees to quash its decision not admitting pupil to school and the school to reconsider the child’s application afresh.
• Persuaded university to treat student as a home student rather than an overseas student, saving her £1000s.
• Successfully defended a student in respect of allegations of sexual misconduct. Allegations were not upheld by Student Disciplinary panel.
• Successfully defended a student in response to allegations of plagiarism.
• Secured a positive outcome for 3 pupils who had been expelled from school.
• Advised students studying medicine when their regulator withdrew approval of course run by a university.
• Persuaded university to grant student more time to complete her degree, due to mental health issues.
• Acted for 16 year old at independent school in respect of allegations of discrimination.
• College student received an acknowledgement of disability discrimination and awarded financial compensation.
• Advised parent on the recovery of school fees from independent school.
• Advising parent on peer on peer abuse at theatre school.
• Persuading university to readmit an overseas student, following non engagement.
• Advising disabled PhD student in respect of discrimination.
• Advising on exclusion of pupil from secondary school.
• Securing apology and financial compensation for student suffering disability discrimination.

For detailed summaries of the kind of cases that we can deal with on your behalf, click here.

Contact Our education law specialists.

What do others say about IBB’s Education Law Solicitors?

Here are a few comments of what others have said about our Education Law legal team.

“I would like to say thank you and the wider team for all the support over the last 3 years to enable me to complete my degree, as without your help the process would have been far more stressful”

“Thank you so much for all your work on this. I have heard from staff and parents that safeguarding is now a huge priority for the school so I feel that the action we took has had the desired effect.” 

“From the outset they listened and guided me through my options. I have been struck by the consistency in their process, their professionalism and empathy. Their strengths have definitely been in their willingness to collaborate with other legal professionals in order to give you the best possible chance of success. They don’t shy away from meeting online and so I really feel understood and cared for.”

“Very personal service where nothing is too much trouble. Prompt in all responses and no stone left unturned to advise thoroughly ensuring the best decision is made. Impressive high standards in all aspects of service. I can’t rate them highly enough.”

“I believe IBB Law Education Team have shown themselves to be true to their word. They have collaborated with me in terms of what to expect at each stage of my case. Their practice is transparent and open, also they are clear and concise regarding the fees.”

“The experience was excellent. I was able to sort out my issue in less than a month with the help of the team at IBB Law. Right from the beginning of contacting the firm, I was provided all the support and communication with the team was also very smooth. I am more than happy to have contacted the firm. I would definitely recommend IBB Law to anyone that is going through a similar situation as mine.”

IBB offer unrivalled skill and expertise when it comes to education law matters. They are very well-placed to represent students in all types of public and private law claims against universities. They also do a lot of work in the schools sector, in particular when representing parents in claims against independent schools. They are knowledgeable in the main areas of law that cut across these and associated areas of the education sector. Given their level of experience in these areas, they also have a very good practical understanding of the education sector and are geared towards achieving good practical outcomes for their clients.’

“The gold standard team for higher education work. IBB is one of my main instructing solicitors and I always feel completely confident that they will do an excellent job for the client. The cases are meticulously prepared, and they are very client-focused and practical in their approach.”

“Very empathetic and attentive to each individual clients needs. I felt heard and understood for the first time by professionals. The team was easy and quick to communicate with and the whole process made me feel at ease”

“…………. was very quick and efficient. My matter was dealt and over with quite quickly with a happy outcome.’

“IBB offer an excellent education law service, with particular expertise in higher education matters.’

“Celia Whittuck is a star individual. She has gained considerable experience in education law and has excellent strategic litigation strategy, particularly for civil claims against independent schools and universities, and internal complaints and appeal processes in relation to these institutions. She puts the clients outcome at the heard (sic) of what she does, and has a track record for achieving good results.’

“Growing education law team focusing on higher education law matters.”

‘Celia Whittuck is a phenomenally dedicated solicitor and a real delight to work with.’

‘Focused and determined education team.’

‘Celia Whittuck has growing reputation in the area.’

“Celia Whittuck has an excellent breadth of knowledge and is very responsive.”

“She is amazing.”

Celia has taken a particular interest in ensuring that the appropriate educational outcomes are achieved. Her commitment has been unwavering.”

“Celia Whittuck has been helpful, understanding, respectful and responsive.”

“We can’t thank you enough for your expert assistance throughout this case and we particularly appreciated the clarity and kindness you showed in every communication. The matter could have escalated very unpleasantly except for your intervention, for which we are extremely grateful.”

The Education Law Team at IBB is ranked by Legal 500. Legal 500 describe themselves as the leading guide to law firms and solicitors across the UK.

The Celia Whittuck at IBB is ranked by Chambers and Partners. Chambers and Partners say of themselves, “Our rankings are the most thoroughly researched and independent on the market. Each one is assessed by our dedicated team of experienced researchers using our unrivalled research methodology, which includes tens of thousands of one-to-one interviews every year.

“If you are buying legal services in the UK and need reliable recommendations on the best law firms and solicitors, our rankings, editorial and analysis will provide you with the information you need to make the most well-informed decision when it matters.”

How we can help you

Our aim is to give you clarity over where you stand, whether you have grounds for challenging a school decision, challenging a college decision or challenging a university decision, and the likelihood of securing the outcome you want. Our specialist education law solicitors can provide step-by-step guidance through each stage of your case.

Wherever possible, we will seek to agree an amicable positive solution with the educational institution without resorting to the courts or tribunals. However, in cases where this is not possible, because they will not give way, we are willing and able to take robust action to ensure your rights or those of your child are protected, so they can reach their full educational potential.

We offer a fixed fee initial consultation with a member of our team to discuss your needs and see how we can help. Our charges thereafter will depend on the nature of the case you are bringing and the amount of work involved.  We will endeavour to provide you with certainty over the costs involved, to give you comfort.

For expert help with any aspect of education law for individuals, please contact our education law senior administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230 or  educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk  We will provide step by step guidance.

How long do I have to make an Education Law claim?

There are time limits to make an education claim. Depending upon the type of case, these time limits range from a matter of days to years. For the majority of education cases time is of the essence and action needs to be taken promptly, in response to an issue that has arisen. Therefore, to avoid missing out on your legal rights we strongly recommend you contact expert education solicitors immediately after a problem with your education or your child’s education arises.

Our expertise with education law

Our education law team benefits from the expertise of specialist solicitors, who only do education law work, helping children, students, young people and their parents.    Our specialist education law team are independently recognised as being experts in their field. We are expert education lawyers.

Celia Whittuck has two decades of experience acting on behalf of children, meaning she is well placed to address the full breadth of legal issues thrown up across the education system. Celia is ably assisted by a team of lawyers, including Victoria Denis and Malcolm Underhill who  similarly specialise. The team help parents and students, to protect their rights and to secure favourable outcomes, sometimes under even the most challenging circumstances.

We have experience handling education law challenges at all levels, both dealing directly with schools, colleges, universities and other institutions, as well as where matters are escalated to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator for Higher Education, to tribunals or to the courts, including the Court of Appeal.

No matter how difficult your situation might seem, we have the skills, experience and specialist knowledge to support you with confidence, giving you the best chance of securing the outcome you or your child need.

How our education law solicitors can help you

Our education law fees

We typically work on a fixed fee basis for the initial consultation. After that initial fixed fee consultation, where we provide you with advice on the merits of your education law case, we can continue to act for you. We will provide you with a cost estimate for any work you ask us to undertake after that initial consultation.  The cost of our legal advice is agreed with you in advance. This ensures complete certainty and transparency over the cost of securing our help with your educational law issue.

The exact cost of our services will depend on the nature of your problem, including the amount of time and level of expertise needed to support you effectively. We will be happy to discuss this with you when you contact our team.

We recognise you will want to know how much it will cost to deal with your case. We are therefore, increasingly, trying offer more fixed fees, so you have absolutely certainty over the costs involved and, importantly, peace of mind.

We offer an initial consultation for a fixed fee to analyse your case and to advise on how we can help. This is an opportunity for you to tell us your story, what has happened and to provide documents that you would like us to consider at the initial consultation meeting. This is your chance to ask any questions and find out whether you are likely to have a case for challenging the school, college or university. We can also discuss the costs involved in more detail at this time. Make your claim today.

For more information on our education law pricing, please get in touch.

Get clear legal advice and support for any aspect of education law

The information given here is intended for general information purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.

For specific guidance relevant to your situation and to arrange an initial fixed fee education law consultation, please contact our education law senior administrator, Rachael, on 01895 207230 or email  educationteam@ibblaw.co.uk  Contact our team of experts.