Sinclairs Solicitors are leading experts in Education Law, and
are located at our Penarth office. The firm is only one of two law
firms authorised and contracted by the Government's Legal Services
Commission in Wales to advise in education law.
Mr. Michael Charles, is established as one of the country's
leading lawyers in this field of law.
The majority of cases involving educational issues turn to public
law principles. It is essential that practitioners in this field
and those who need to advise parents, are aware of and fully understand
the relevant legal principles involved, and how these principles
apply in various contexts.
Both UK & (EU) European law have changed considerably in recent
years, consequently education law is now a growing & gaining
far more importance over recent years.
In particular, the Human Rights Act 1998, legislates that
children are now to be educated in accordance with the wishes of
their parents and this may have important implications for educational
issues. If you require any more information or an appointment -
we recommend you speak with a specialist at Sinclairs Solicitors.
Parents are understandably concerned when they fear that their children
are not receiving something to which they are entitled or have been
treated wrongly or unfairly by a school or local education authority.
In the interests of the child/ren educational issues need to be
decided quickly and it is therefore essential that when seeking
advice in this area, you Employ a practice that will act quickly
with the expertise to ensure your peace of mind. This is a specialist
of area of law, requiring the knowledge & expertise of specialist
legal advisors
The main areas of concern often relating to educational needs are:
- LEA policy decisions including school closures & reorganisation.
- Special educational needs - lack of provision & statementing
etc.
- Disputing LEA (Local Education Authority) decisions in respect
to your child
- Retrospective claims for lack of educational provision for a
child who is continuing or left education otherwise known as negligence cases
- School Admissions
- Exclusions
- Higher Education i.e. Problems at University
- disputes regarding school curriculum
- Further Education Funding - Learning & Skills Council decisions including ELWA (Wales)
Challenging decisions of LEA's by presenting arguments in the courts or the Special Educational
Needs Tribunal. Many people are concerned about not being granted
a Statement of Special Educational Needs for their children, or that
the statement is inadequate and does not meet their child's requirements.
Some people turn to the law because they discover later in the day
that their child ought to have received special provision and clearly
did not earlier in their child's career. Often complaints are that
children have suffered loss as a consequence and applications are
thereafter made to the courts for damages. The important decision
of Phelps .v. London Borough of Hillingdon has established importantly
that professionals Employed by local authorities should behave competently
and could be liable in actions for damages if there has been negligence.
This includes teachers, educational psychologists and education officers
who all now owe a duty of care.
This means that if your child is in a school and has been let down
or if you have been let down by a school that you attended in the
past, there may be something you can do about it. Speak to a specialist
at Sinclairs Solicitors.
Another important area is to know what your rights are when you
have a child attending a school. For example, you may have a right
to receive assistance from your local education authority to obtain
school uniforms for your children, or school milk. Your child
may have the right for free school transport? What if you change
schools? Do you still have the right to school transport? If your
child is being bullied you may need help and advice.
Remember your child's education is essential and what you may
not do now can affect him or her for the rest of their life. It
is essential that the right moves are made from the start.
Education law has also been affected by the Human Rights Act 1998,
children are now to be educated in accordance with the wishes of their
parents and this may have important implications for educational issues.
If you require any more information or an appointment - speak with
a specialist at Sinclairs. If you have any issues relating to your
childs education, then please use the 'contact form' below. We will
endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible.
DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is provided solely for information purposes only. It does not constitute legal or other
professional advice. Sinclairs does not give any endorsement, warranty or representation, expressed or implied by statute
collaterally or otherwise with regard to the products or services which are advised or promoted on this or any linked sites.
Sinclairs Solicitors accept no responsibility for loss or damage which may arise from errors or omissions of information contained in the
web site or other site that may be linked to this site from time to time or for reliance on any such information.
It is important that those who have access to the site and require help take proper legal advice by contacting the firm of Sinclairs so that
we can properly advise on the information that you are able to provide us.
Contacting us:
If you wish to make enquiries to a department directly please use our 'Contact Form' or, alternatively use our global e-mail
sinclairs@sinclairslaw.co.uk
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