Miriam is an experienced barrister in our Regulatory Compliance team, specialising in education law, human rights and equality.
A highly expert barrister specialising in Education law, Special Educational Needs, Human Rights and Equality law, Miriam leads the Education Law team that advises the Academies and Maintained schools' sector (mainstream, special and alternative provision) and also works in the Higher Education sector. She has a vast range of experience in supporting all types of educational providers and local authorities in education law matters, from early years to higher education, in tribunals, county courts and the administrative court in judicial review matters.
Miriam is highly regarded for her Bar experience in the schools' sector and recognised as a leading adviser by the industry and previously, she was Preferred Counsel for the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Miriam advises several of the largest education providers in England, maintained schools, special school groups (state and independent) and education businesses. Clients call upon her with a wide range of issues including admissions and Office of the Schools Adjudicator complaints; complaints to Ofsted in relation to conduct of inspections and draft reports; safeguarding; highly complex parental complaints and vexatious complaints; special educational needs and NHS Act duties; SEN funding disputes with local authorities, discrimination claims across all protected characteristics; and other matters concerning large education providers. Miriam successfully manages a large team of lawyers that collaborate seamlessly with clients to deliver high quality and pragmatic advice placing children, young people and their families at the centre of all decision-making.
Some of her successful education law cases include the Michaela School case, Robert Sharp, R (on the application of) v Office of Schools Adjudicator and Office of Schools Adjudicator in relation to grammar schools admissions. She has conducted over 35 extended appeals in SENDIST under the National Pilot with some of those hearings expanding over one week. She has appeared in over a thousand SEN appeals before SENDIST and represents schools and academies when facing disability discrimination claims.
In other areas Miriam advises clients across sectors on complex Equality Act and Human Rights Act claims including disability, race, sex and gender discrimination claims; judicial review; human rights including freedom of speech and privacy; educational neglect and failure to educate; special educational needs and health/social care duties of local authorities and Integrated Commissioning Boards. Her previous public law practice at the Bar has seen Miriam deliver outstanding training and know-how and advice in complex investigations in schools and universities. In the Higher Education sector Miriam has advised on university regulation and establishment of foreign universities in England.
Miriam has expertise in safeguarding including urgent safeguarding local authority reviews acting for schools, vendor due diligence safeguarding audits and day-to-day safeguarding concerns at schools and colleges.
Throughout her career, Miriam has been actively involved in human rights and has considerable expertise in advising on domestic and international human rights legislation. Her experience ranges from litigation before the European Court of Human Rights to lecturing and training lawyers and judges on behalf of the European Commission and the Council of Europe.
Her approach is collaborative, and she always strives to find the most cost-effective solution for her clients. She enjoys training and engaging with individuals, educators and professionals in understanding and applying the framework of law and policy.
Miriam is based in our London office, but can support you nationally.
What you might like to know
Miriam is a qualified mediator in disputes within her areas of practice and an active member of the Administrative Bar Law Association and the Education Law Association. She regularly volunteers with Inspiring Futures for the purposes of increasing social mobility and access to the legal profession and attends careers days for clients and friendly organisations. Miriam is personally and professionally committed to helping those struggling to navigate the special educational needs system.
Miriam is also an Equality and Diversity Officer for the Bar Council of England and Wales.
In her spare time Miriam reads and hikes. She speaks four languages (English, Spanish, Russian, Polish).
Other teams Miriam works with
In addition to our Regulatory Compliance team, Miriam also works with our higher education, special schools and colleges, independent schools, local government and charities teams.
