Equality Act claims—disability discrimination in schools

All children have the right to freedom from discrimination and no school is above the law. Our expert education solicitors advise on the full spectrum of education law issues arising in all types of schools, bringing technical excellence to championing the rights of disabled children.

As a result of our advice and representation, children are protected from discrimination and receive the reasonable adjustments they require. We are leaders in Equality Act matters, creating the first Upper Tribunal case law to set out how disability discrimination cases involving unfavourable treatment and failure to make reasonable adjustments must be approached.

Key to navigating this complex legal issue is understanding your child’s rights and the school’s obligations. We combine a tenacious strategic approach with empathetic client care. We’re aware that experiencing discrimination can be traumatising and believe holding the perpetrators of discrimination against disabled children to account is hugely important. 

We have a proven track record of bringing successful Equality Act claims against schools as well as negotiating resolutions where this is best.

We can help you with:

• securing reasonable adjustments at school including exam arrangements
• meetings and written communication with your child’s school
• drafting and progressing an Equality Act claim to the First Tier Tribunal  for disability discrimination including direct and indirect discrimination, unfavourable treatment, failure to make reasonable adjustments, victimisation and harassment
• witness statements and other evidence gathering
• subject Access requests
• settlement agreements

Our highly specialist team of education lawyers has a proven track record of successful disability discrimination claims against all types of schools.  We understand the sensitivities of these cases and that sometimes it may be best for your child to stay in their current school. In this case, issues need to be handled carefully and a negotiated settlement may be the right result. For other families, if the relationship with the school has broken down completely then the school’s behaviour may need to be held to account with robust action.

Our experts are all ranked in Chambers and Partners and Legal 500 legal directories. Here are some comments made about us. 

"I would rate their transparency in billing and delivery of good value for money as very strong. At the very outset of our journey with Russell-Cooke, we were given very detailed information around costings and billing". 

Client comment extracted from Chambers Insight 2023

"Any questions we have had have been answered promptly, succinctly and with absolute clarity. We have been kept fully informed of the processes throughout, both where we are and what should happen next. Their ability to constantly be thinking multiple steps ahead when working on a particular aspect of our case, and be thinking of the impact of every decision we make at every stage of the process, is quite honestly mind-blowing. We have a huge amount of confidence in their knowledge, expertise and professionalism in dealing with our concerns. We are most grateful to have found the best in this field". 

Client comment extracted from Chambers Insight 2023

We offer a fixed fee for an initial consultation where we discuss your case and detailed advice on the best approach to achieve the results you want is provided. Detailed information about future costs is then supplied. Ongoing charges are usually based on our hourly rates plus administrative charges and disbursements. Regular updates on costs are provided as your case progresses.

The current range of hourly rates for members of the team is from £180 plus VAT to £400 plus VAT per hour.

We do not advise on a legal aid or ‘no win no fee’ basis