Areas of Practice and Direct Access

We provide advice, representation, advocacy and dispute resolution. Areas include school admissions and exclusions, independent appeal panels and review panels, judicial review and public law, special educational needs and disability, Equality Act issues, educational policies and procedures.

We provide specialist education law advice on a range of policy and procedural issues. Always practical and outcome focused. Topics include:

school admissions and exclusions
advice regarding decisions of independent appeal panels or independent review panels
representation in all education related judicial reviews
practical advice on the Equality Act for schools and academies, for example how to support trans students or gender questioning children in school and how to plan for school trips to ensure there is no disability discrimination
how to ensure good policies and procedures are in place so as to avoid legal challenges
advice on bullying and school discipline
all areas of special educational needs and disability, including disputes over the contents of the statement of special educational needs
representation in front of the First – Tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) and appeals to the Upper Tribunal – both as regards special educational needs or disability discrimination claims
negligence claims against local authorities relating to school trips, failure to diagnose or provide for special educational needs
Human Rights Act challenges regarding education
issues relating to school uniform and freedom of religion

Public Access work:

Tanya Callman is a barrister specialising in education law, she is happy to provide direct legal advice to a school, individual or organisation without the need for a solicitor or other lawyer being involved.

For individuals this can prove cost effective and efficient.

For schools, this can be of assistance to schools seeking to have their policies or procedures reviewed, for initial legal advice or assistance, or for matters where legal proceedings are contemplated or underway.

Tanya can give advice, meet with the School, draft paperwork or represent the School in hearings. She can assist with issues ranging from how to get exclusions right first time and avoid legal challenges, to cases where disability discrimination is being claimed against the school. Other areas include managing complaints, advising on the Equality Act and trans inclusion issues, school admissions, reasonable adjustments for pupils with SEND and legal challenges to school policies and procedures.

The best way to reach out initially is to contact her Practice Manager, Sally Collyer, on clerk@edulaw.uk or by phone on 07939 544 457 to indicate the nature of the issue, what you are trying to achieve and the timelines. EduLaw Chambers prides itself on providing a bespoke approachable service. Sally will be able to respond as to whether Tanya can assist and give you an early indication of fees. If you decide to instruct Tanya there would be a signed client care agreement between the school or individual and EduLaw Chambers setting out the agreement between you, Tanya’s responsibilities to you as the client, and being clear regarding the fees.

“Tanya's professional experience, meticulous planning and expertise has been evident at every stage of the preparation for our case hearing. Her calm approach and wisdom ensured that we were fully supported and prepared. I would wholeheartedly recommend Tanya to any individual school or Trust requiring an excellent barrister as her knowledge of the education sector as well as legal wisdom are invaluable and indeed second to none!”

Margaret Chapman, CoCEO

“Tanya is a powerhouse of knowledge in all areas of education law.”

Lawyer, local authority legal department

“Tanya’s legal services and expertise have been invaluable for us as a local authority. The considered, specialised advice, clear costing planning and clear delivery means that we would highly recommend Tanya for any aspect of education law you may need.”

Senior Secondary Inclusion Officer

“When my daughter's school lost her work, refused to accept responsibility for it and jeopardised her place at university, Edulaw were superb in advising and assisting us through the complaints process, which I and so many parents found difficult and stressful.

EduLaw handled our case with great transparency, timeliness, diligence, kindness and compassion to a successful outcome.

My daughter is now undertaking a Bsc Psychology Degree thanks to the support we received from EduLaw, for which we remain so very grateful.”

Carole, parent from London

“Tanya Callman was recommended to me by our local county councillor when I sought legal advice about SEN support and allowances during entrance examinations to selective secondary schools for our son, who has ADHD. Tanya’s advice was extremely valuable. She responded very quickly to my query and provided extremely helpful advice that covered everything from legislation, to “best practice” considerations that schools ought to take into account when making decisions to admit children with SEN, to various charities and other support available to parents of children with ADHD

Tanya was very knowledgeable and professional specifically in matters of education law and special needs issues and routes to take if one opted for legal challenge to decisions of schools concerning SEN issues in admissions. I could not recommend her more highly.”

Parent of a child with ADHD applying to academically selective schools in London

“I worked with Tanya as a founder member of the Advisory Group for the National Autistic Society’s Advocacy for Education Service. Her expertise, experience and knowledge was invaluable in ensuring the service provided accurate and quality advice and advocacy. Her consistent support, commitment and enthusiasm helped steer its growth into an award-winning service helping thousands of families.”