Education News

Emma Calvert appears as guest on ‘Get Legally Speaking’ podcast

18th June 2026

3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) education barrister, Emma Calvert, appears as guest on ‘Get Legally Speaking’ podcast discussing what every parent needs to know: behaviour is often communication, and a child’s difficulties should not be dismissed without asking why they are struggling and what support they may need. Hosted by Hatti Suvari, in this episode they explore what parents can do when their child is struggling at school, what legal duties schools and local councils...

Alice de Coverley and Barry McTaggart offer practical guidance on SEND White Paper

11th May 2026

3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) specialist education, equality and public law barrister Alice de Coverley and personal injury and education pupil barrister Barry McTaggart have written for LexisNexis on the government’s recent SEND White Paper. The ‘Every Child Achieving and Thriving’ White Paper was published in February this year, alongside the consultation document ‘SEND Reform: Putting Children and Young People First’. In their analysis, Alice and Barry explore the key proposals within the documents, including...

Second six pupil Barry McTaggart is now accepting instructions

13th April 2026

3PB (3 Paper Buildings) are pleased to announce that our second six pupil, Barry McTaggart, is now on his feet and accepting instructions on his own cases, following the commencement of his pupillage last October. Barry McTaggart will now accept instructions in personal injury, clinical negligence and education. For instructions or availability, please contact Jordon Gallifant on [email protected] or call 020 7583 8055.

Jim Hirschmann highlights the Court of Protection Bar Association’s work in co-ordinating a Frontal Lobe Paradox article

31st March 2026

3PB’s education and social care barrister, Jim Hirschmann has helped co-ordinate an article ‘Frontal Lobe Paradox: A Practical Guide for Lawyers’ with the Court of Protection Bar Association. This practical guide has been developed by a multidisciplinary team to support lawyers working with clients where the so-called ‘frontal lobe paradox’ (FLP) may arise. Its primary aims are to explain what FLP is; outline how it may manifest in individuals; highlight its implications for assessing capacity under...

Katherine Anderson leads Jim Hirschmann in SEN case before CoA

26th March 2026

3PB's barristers Katherine Anderson and Jim Hirschmann acted in the case London Borough of Hillingdon v AP & Anor [2026] EWCA Civ 216. Jim was led by Kath and represented the respondents in this Special Educational Needs (SEN) case before the Court of Appeal (CoA). This case concerned two main issues consisting of whether the child needed residential provision and the extent to which section 9 of the Education Act 1996 imposed a positive duty...

High Court dismisses challenge to Academy exclusions

9th March 2026

3PB Barristers’ (3 Paper Buildings) Ben Amunwa successfully represented the HS Academy Trust in the recent case of R (PZP) v HS Academy Trust and another [2026] EWHC 489 (Admin), concerning a judicial review challenge to two permanent exclusions. The High Court considered claims by pupils PZP and STW against the Academy Trust’s decision to permanently exclude them following their involvement in a serious assault on a fellow student. The decision in R (PZP) is significant...

Disabled children’s social care reform: Liz Adams on the Law Commission’s final report

12th February 2026

Liz Adams, education and family law barrister at 3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings), has published a new article in the February edition of the Family Law Journal titled “Disabled Children’s Social Care: Final Report.” In the article, Liz provides an in-depth analysis of the Law Commission’s first major review of disabled children’s social care over three decades. She examines three key areas of legal significance, first being the introduction of new statutory principles governing disabled...

Katherine Anderson authors ‘A Practical Guide to Education, Health and Care Plan Appeals in England – Second Edition’

10th February 2026

Katherine Anderson, an education law specialist and barrister at 3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings), ranked as a Leading Junior by Chambers and Partners and Legal 500, has published a second edition of her successful book ‘A Practical Guide to Education, Health and Care Plan Appeals in England’. This book examines the relevant statutory framework and case law, alongside the rules and procedures of the First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal governing these appeals. More than 1.7...

Daniel Brown and Louise Hartley to speak at ARDL webinar about their NMC v Richmond case

16th October 2025

3PB’s Deputy Head of the Professional Discipline team, Daniel Brown, and specialist professional discipline barrister, Louise Hartley, will speak at the ARDL Webinar titled "Should regulators be concerned about the High Court’s judgment in NMC v Richmond [2025] EWHC 1828 (Admin)?" The Webinar will take place via Zoom on Wednesday 22nd October at 6-7pm. Daniel Brown specialises in representing healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, midwives, dentists and doctors, in fitness to practise proceedings. He has also...

3PB breaks through the 100 rankings ceiling in Chambers and Partners 2026 edition

16th October 2025

3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings) have been awarded a record number of individual rankings in the 2026 edition of Chambers and Partners, reaching a total of 104 (96 last year) achieved by 86 of its barristers. The national set has doubled its number of individual rankings in 5 years (52 in 2021) and is rewarded with accolades in 22 areas of law across the London Bar as well as in the North Eastern, South Eastern,...

3PB Barristers are pleased to confirm that 6 of its specialist education law barristers are ranked in Chambers and Partners 2026 published today. The group remains ranked in Band 3 at the London bar in the publication, its barristers praised as “exceptional”, “highly skilled” and “meticulously prepared” by clients and peers. The team is supported by an “incredibly responsive, professional and extremely helpful" clerking team. In our clients’ words, “the organisation, care and attention from...

3PB achieves record rankings in the Legal 500’s 2026 edition

1st October 2025

3PB Barristers (3 Paper Buildings), one of the UK's largest chambers, is delighted to announce a record number of rankings - totalling 193 - in the Legal 500 2026’s edition which is published today, compared with 167 last year. A total of 123 3PB barristers are now ranked in the Legal 500, up from 108 last year. The set is ranked in 26 areas of law across 4 large UK Circuits (London, South Eastern, Western...