Frequently Asked Questions

I am being taken to court as my child won’t go to school. I have tried everything. Can you represent me?

Yes, contact us as soon as you can and quickly if you already have a date for a hearing at Court.

My daughter is being forever put into isolation at school. What are her rights?

The school has a right to discipline children but it must be reasonable. There is government guidance on what should and should not be done. Repeated isolation may well be unlawful. Get in touch and we can advise you.

The head teacher says my daughter must stay away from the school and I don’t know when she can go back. Is she permanently excluded? Is it legal?

No, it probably isn’t. There are procedures that must be followed, and the Council must provide suitable education. We can help.

My son has been bullied and racially abused and can’t take any more. He needs a fresh start. Can you help me with an admission appeal?

Yes, we do this frequently. The sooner you act the better.

I’ve asked for the school records but I haven’t got them. What can I do?

You have a right to education records and they should be provided within 15 school days. If you have problems, contact us for assistance.

The school is always complaining about my son's behaviour, but he needs a special school as he can’t cope. What can we do?

If his special needs are not understood and aren’t met then this frequently leads to trouble. We can advise on getting an assessment.

He has a Statement of Special Educational Needs and should have one to one support. Can I appeal to get it?

If the provisions of the Statement are not met you can appeal to the tribunal. However it might be something that can be resolved without going that far. Once we have more details from you we can advise you.

They just never provided for his needs at school. Can he claim damages?

If there has been serious disruption to his education through negligence by the local authority then damages can be claimed. However, Legal Aid won’t be granted for high cost claims that won’t result in significant damages though.

Does my child have to do religious studies at school?

You have a right to withdraw your child from RS. If the school won’t help you then we can.

Staff in the Education department

Our solicitors

Keith Lomax Keith Lomax, BSc, PhD. Partner.
Qualified 1988.
Keith Lomax is head of the Civil Department, which includes housing, education, employment, community care, public law, welfare benefits, and debt. He has specialised in housing since he qualified as a solicitor and has developed particular interest and experience in education, employment, community care, public law, regulatory law, and human rights. He has expertise in Gypsy and Traveller law. He has taken cases to the Court of Appeal, the House of Lords, and the European Court of Human Rights. Keith is a member of the Environmental Law Foundation.

Keith Coughtrie Keith Coughtrie, BA.
Assistant Solicitor – qualified 2003
Keith Coughtrie specialises in public law matters and has extensive experience of challenging public authorities by Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court. He has particular experience in Gypsy and Traveller education law.

Sally Sherwood Sally Lees, LLB.
Assistant Solicitor – qualified 2007
Sally has worked and trained within the firm and has developed experience in family law, housing and welfare benefits. In our family department she conducts cases on domestic violence, cohabitation, divorce and separation. Sally assists with education matters as well as working with our housing, welfare benefits, and community care teams.

Tom Lomax Tom Lomax, BSc. MSc.
Assistant Solicitor
Tom has a background in science, philosophy and international environment and indigenous rights work, and is presently working in our Civil department on housing, community care, public law and human rights, and education matters. He has experience in asylum seeker support work. He is also working with the charity FERN on a project concerning law reform and governance in respect of forest community land rights in Liberia and the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade Action Plan. In this capacity Tom has authored a report entitled ‘Forest Governance in Liberia’, published by FERN in January 2008.

Our support staff

Graham Alexander Graham Alexander, BA.
Legal Assistant
Graham has a background working in the Citizens’ Advice Bureau and is now working with our housing, welfare benefits, and community care teams. Graham specialises in welfare benefits and debt. He takes cases to tribunals and by Judcial Review to the High Court.

Our secretarial support
Ann Bennett
Alison Haggart

Davies Gore Lomax LLP