
Education
Katherine is an experienced education law specialist with a particular interest in special educational needs. She is familiar with the issues that may arise in relation to mental capacity in education cases.
She accepts instructions from local authorities, schools, parents, young people, students and universities, as well as employers/employees in the education sector, in relation to:
- Appeals and claims before the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability)
- School admissions
- School exclusions
- Equality Act 2010 claims in the civil courts
- Judicial review
- Employment tribunal proceedings (see also Katherine’s Employment law profile).
Recent cases:
Katherine has acted in many complex cases concerning special educational, health and social care for post-16 and post-19 year olds in Education and Health and Care plans, including under the National Trial.
She has recently acted in appeals to the Upper Tribunal regarding the special educational provision for a physically disabled child with a fluctuating health condition, and regarding the interrelationship between the social care and special educational provision in an EHC plan for a young person over 19 years of age.
Other recent cases have involved disputes around:
- Educational negligence
- Home education of a child for medical reasons
- Special educational provision for children outside of the normal school day
- The level of therapeutic provision reasonably required to meet a child’s special educational needs
- Sensory profiles as special educational provision
- Disability discrimination – school exclusions
- Disability discrimination – failure to make reasonable adjustments
- Disability discrimination claims against universities by students who were required to withdraw from their courses.
Katherine also provides training in education law to a variety of different audiences, including local authorities, solicitors, university student advisors, lay panel members and educational experts.
She is herself a parent of young children.
Reported Case:
RB v Calderdale MBC (SEN): [2018] UKUT 390 (AAC)
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Publications -
How the New National Restrictions to control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19) impact education and school attendance
17th Nov 20203PB's specialist education law barrister Katherine Anderson reviews how the New National Restrictions to
control the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19) impact education and school attendance. -
Legal representation and cross-examination in university disciplinary proceedings and specific performance as a remedy - AB v University of XYZ
17th Nov 20203PB's Katherine Anderson reviews the case of AB v University of XYZ. Legal representation and cross-examination in university disciplinary proceedings and specific performance as a remedy.
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Council wins Judicial Review challenge to academy order
21st Sep 2020Council wins Judicial Review challenge to academy order
Katherine Anderson reviews Somerset County Council v Secretary of State for Education [2020] EWHC 1675 (Admin).
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Recommendations ‘Highly intelligent, thorough in her work and is a tenacious barrister.’
Legal 500 2021/Leading Individual – EducationA strong advocate who enjoys a varied caseload which covers employment and education law.
Strengths: "She is extremely thorough and detailed in her preparation and advice. She is meticulous in her attention to detail and excellent for complex cases."
Chambers UK 2021/Employment - Western Bar - Band 4
Academic qualifications
- Cambridge University, United Kingdom
- Harvard University, United States
- Postgraduate Diploma in Law at City University
- Bar Vocational Course at BPP School of Law (Outstanding)
Scholarships
- Inner Temple Exhibition
Professional qualifications & appointments
- Accredited Mediation Advocate
Professional bodies
- Employment Law Bar Association (ELBA)
Direct Access
Katherine Anderson is qualified to accept instructions directly from members of the public and professional clients under the Direct Public Access scheme.
More Information