Latest News:About us: what they say about us
Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and the Legal 500 list the leading lawyers in the UK and around the world:
Chambers 2012 UK says:
Education: Individuals - Maxwell Gillott - Peers agree that this long-standing team is a highly influential one, and commend its commitment to the sector. The wider firm's specialism in community care complements its education practice, and interviewees are particularly impressed with its expertise in Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal (SENDIST), judicial reviews and admissions, exclusions and disability cases. The firm recently became a wholly owned subsidiary of Simpson Millar, which increases its national reach to cover Birmingham and Gateshead as well as its original Lancaster base. Client Service "It always goes the extra mile."
Key Individuals: The "skilful" Angela Jackman continues to impress peers and clients with her work in education-related judicial reviews. She is currently acting in a high-profile judicial review involving a school which banned boys from braiding their hair; the case covers issues of both race and sex discrimination. Eleanor Wright is lauded for her tribunal work on behalf of children with special educational needs (SEN), whilst Elaine Maxwell is praised for the breadth of her education practice. She is leading several cases concerning non-admissions of those with special educational needs, as well as advising on special needs provisions post-16 years old. Sources agree that firm director Emily Gent works "quickly and accurately" on cases which involve significant levels of community care provisions. Oliver Studdert is recommended for his strength in litigious education matters.
Administrative and Public Law: Traditional Claimant Oliver Studdert of Maxwell Gillott earns recognition for his work on education law and interpretation of the Children's Act. Clients say they are "extremely happy with his ability to turn key issues into winning arguments."
Civil Liberties and Human Rights: This firm is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Simpson Millar, which has significantly enhanced its national profile. The team excels in civil liberties matters concerning education, social and healthcare matters and is praised for its "dedication to matters that affect vulnerable people."
Key Individuals: Angela Jackman has a wealth of experience in deprivation of liberty cases. She recently acted in a novel matter concerning a grandparents' challenge to a local authority's refusal to offer financial assistance in caring for their grandchildren. Sources recognise Oliver Studdert as a committed campaigning lawyer. He focuses on young people, the responsibilities owed to them by the social services and their right to education. He is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor in parental extradition cases where children would effectively be orphaned.
Chambers 2011 UK says:
Education: Individuals - Maxwell Gillott - This firm has been strengthened by the lateral hire of leading individuals from Fisher Meredith. Now operating from Lancaster and London, the team is dedicated to providing advice on special educational needs (SEN), admissions and exclusions, disability discrimination claims, and judicial review cases. Market sources have watched the move with interest and are unanimous in the opinion that this team is now an "absolutely exceptional force in SEN law."
Key Individuals: Based in Lancaster, Elaine Maxwell has been advising on provision for severely disabled pupils. Sources say she has a "phenomenal understanding of the issues that parents dealing with SEN face". Emily Gent has a growing reputation for her advice on SEN cases involving community care provision. She is said by sources to be "committed, sharp and technically accurate". New to the team from Fisher Meredith are Angela Jackman, Eleanor Wright and Oliver Studdert. Jackman is praised for her "reassuring and calm presence," with clients agreeing that she is "totally unflappable". She is also "extremely approachable and not afraid to tell you how it is". Wright has a wealth of experience in all aspects of education law. She is praised by sources for going "out of her way to make herself available at all hours". Studdert makes his debut in the tables having impressed sources with his staunch commitment to the rights of children and young people.
Civil Liberties - Maxwell Gillott - This firm has been strengthened by the arrival of the public services law team from Fisher Meredith. The team operates from the newly opened London office and has boosted the firm's profile in civil liberties. It now has a wealth of experience in social welfare law and the rights of exceptionally vulnerable children.
Key Individuals:Angela Jackman and Oliver Studdert head the public law branch in the new London office. Sources say Jackman is "organised, approachable, knows her stuff and is able to get to the nub of the matter quickly". Studdert is recognised for his expertise in young people's rights. He impresses sources with his superb case management and client care.
Chambers 2010 UK says:
This expanding regional firm is making an impact across the UK. The majority of
the team's time is dedicated to representing children with SEN, particularly autism,
and the lawyers have also witnessed an increase in judicial reviews, disability
discrimination claims and SENDIST appeals on behalf of private clients. Maxwell
Gillott maintains its unique selling point as being the only firm in the country
to provide a specialist telephone advice contact, funded by the LSC.
Elaine Maxwell "brings both empathy and expertise to every single case."
Civil Liberties Angela Jackman regularly acts for vulnerable young people in challenges relating to best interest and capacity, and is widely praised for the consistent quality of her practice.
Education: Individuals Elaine Maxwell "brings both empathy and expertise to every single case." Angela Jackman is marked out as a leading light when it comes to issues of exclusion and has enviable experience in judicial reviews. Eleanor Wright has a genuine strength in SEN and has recently been advising on disability discrimination claims.
Legal 500 2010 UK says:
Top Ranked for Education: Individuals - Maxwell Gillott Solicitors’ nine-lawyer team acts for disabled pupils and has a track record in cutting-edge education law work. The group recently acted for a cognitively able boy with cerebral palsy and autism in the first judicial review application to be transferred to the Upper Tier of the Health, Education and Social Care Tribunal. Lancaster-based Elaine MaxwellM is a notable figure in the group, while the London team comprises three lawyers recruited from Fisher Meredith: Oliver Studdert,
Administrative and Public Law - Oliver Studdert joined Maxwell Gillott Solicitors from Fisher Meredith, and is 'very, very good'.
Civil Liberties and Human Rights - Maxwell Gillott Solicitors recruited Oliver Studdert, Angela Jackman and Eleanor Wright from Fisher Meredith in 2009.
Chambers’ 2009 UK edition says:
‘A good firm dedicated to this sector and going from strength to strength. Key to the firm’s success in this area is the drive and determination of Elaine Maxwell . Peers observe that “she has a lot of energy and is both a tough litigator and negotiator.” From a client’s point of view, “she does a great job and gets positive results.”’
The Legal 500 2007 edition says:
“Maxwell Gillott focuses solely on education law (including SEN), clinical negligence and community care. Its experience in education cases includes judicial reviews, and it notably provides a direct telephone service for education advice. Elaine Maxwell is highly experienced in SEN.”
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© Maxwell Gillott 2008
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