It is important for clients to have a good idea of the potential costs when seeking advice and/or representation in an Education Law matter.
We structure our fees to incorporate a range of fixed fees for school admission appeals, school exclusion appeals, complaints to a school governing body or Local Government Ombudsman, special educational needs cases, school transport appeals and higher education cases.
These fees are “capped” rather than “fixed” and if your case successfully settles you will be charged at our normal hourly rate for the time incurred.
Capped Fixed Fees
| Suggested Fee, £ (incl VAT) |
||
| School admission appeals | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) up to an hour advising you about your appeal | 250 | |
| Reviewing documents and input to the appeals submissions | 1000 | |
| Representing you at the hearing (including a pre-hearing consultation) | 1250 | |
| All of the above | 2500
|
|
| School Exclusion Appeals | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) up to an hour advising you about the appeal | 250 | |
| Considering the school’s case and drafting appeal submissions | 1500 | |
| Representing you at the Independent Appeal Panel Hearing | 1250 | |
| All of the above | 3000
|
|
| Special Education Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal Appeals | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice after considering documents | 1000 | |
| Drafting and submitting case statement and grounds of appeal | 2500 | |
| Subsequent communication with Local Authority and Tribunal to include case management hearing | 2250 | |
| Representation at the final hearing | 2250 | |
| All of the above | 8000
|
|
| Complaints to a School Governing Body | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 250 | |
| Considering documents and drafting complaint | 750 | |
| Considering response and further advice | 250 | |
| All of the above | 1250
|
|
| Complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 250 | |
| Considering documents and drafting complaint | 750 | |
| Considering response and further advice | 250 | |
| All of the above | 1250
|
|
| Request for Statutory Assessment | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 250 | |
| Considering documents and making request | 350 | |
| All of the above | 600
|
|
| School Transport Appeal | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 250 | |
| Considering transport policy and associated documents, applying this to your case and drafting submissions | 1000 | |
| Representation at the Transport Appeal | 500 | |
| All of the above | 1750
|
|
| Higher Education | ||
| (A) General Advice/Departmental Appeal | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 500 | |
| Considering documents and drafting response/appeal | 2500 | |
| Considering response and further advice | 500 | |
| All of the above | 3500
|
|
| (B) Complaints Procedure | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 500 | |
| Considering documents and drafting representations | 2500 | |
| Considering response and further advice | 500 | |
| All of the above | 3500
|
|
| (C) Complaint to the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) | ||
| Consultation (in person or by phone) and initial advice | 500 | |
| Considering documents and drafting representations | 2500 | |
| Considering response and further advice | 500 | |
| All of the above | 3500
|
|
| Other charges | ||
| First meeting – We will discuss your case with you and provide you with diagnostic advice and provide a letter of advice. | 250
|
|
| Hourly rates which apply thereafter: | ||
| Senior Solicitor Laura Berman | 250 | |
| Solicitor Amara Ahmad | 200 | |
| Solicitor Samia Khaleeli | 175 | |
| Senior Paralegal Georgina Hendriksen | 175 | |
| Paralegal Ruth Mellor | 150 | |
| Trainee Solicitor | 130 |
Legal Aid
You may be eligible for advice on education law matters through legal aid. We have an Education Law contract from the Legal Services Commission. If you obtain legal aid the costs of your case may be wholly or partially paid for from public funds. Legal aid is only available to those with limited means.
Please ask our Education Law team for details if you think you may be eligible for legal aid.
