a boutique law firm
providing clients with a personal touch, excellent service, caring and honest advice
Anita has a highly regarded reputation as an education lawyer. She is a leading expert in this field with experience spanning over 20 years. She acts for parents, children and teachers against local authorities and schools. Her vibrancy, creativity and resolve to do right by her clients have led to many successful conclusions on what are sometimes difficult cases. This saves both time and money whilst achieving the best outcome for the client.
Anita Chopra is a specialist in Education law. She qualified as a Solicitor in November 2001. 4 years later, in 2005, Anita’s sheer passion, determination and tenacity for the law led her to co-found her own firm: Match Solicitors, a boutique Education Law Practice. She was the youngest Solicitor, at the time, to set up her own law firm; a personal dream and achievement for her. One year after inception, the firm entered the top tier of the Legal 500 and featured in Chambers U.K for Education Law; the individual. This success was maintained throughout. Anita helped build and run the firm with much love and hard work until the brand was sold in June 2018.
Anita’s main areas of expertise include: special educational needs, advising on Education Health and Care Plans and, Appeals to the Tribunal which have a very high track record of settling before the final hearing. She regularly acts for parents whose children have been excluded from schools, school admission appeals and school complaints. Anita has a formidable reputation for acting for parents who have disputes with independent schools; one of the few specialists in this particular area. She has a burgeoning employment law practice which compliments her main area of expertise. She specialises in representing teachers and head teachers facing internal disciplinary procedures as well as having an ability to negotiate Settlement Agreements where possible. In addition, she has successfully defended many teachers facing career changing regulatory cases of misconduct before the Teaching Regulation Agency and/or the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Anita’s expertise and knowledge of the law are unparalleled. Clients have a great deal of respect for Anita’s abilities, personal touch, empathy, and above all, her honesty in the advice that she gives. She strongly believes that the client should hear the advice they need to hear rather than what they want to hear. This may be difficult to execute at times but she stands by the importance of telling people the truth.
The media has regularly turned to Anita as their primary consultant on education related issues. Over the years, she has appeared in most national newspapers, mainstream radio and TV stations and has been repeatedly asked to comment on live education law issues. Anita has also written education law modules, presented at several seminars and lectures and, was part of the Advocacy Service of the National Autistic Society for many years.
All children and young people who have any kind of learning difficulty are entitled to be supported in law. Some needs will be more complex than others. Subject to the extent of your child/young person’s needs, you (or them, if over 16) will have the right to have their needs assessed to determine whether they require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). An EHCP is legal document in which your child/young person’s needs will be documented, described in detail, specified in terms of the required provision and, financially supported by the local authority. We work tirelessly to ensure that any EHCP is specific and commensurate to your child/young person’s needs and focus on the present and, their future. This process can be daunting, emotional and overwhelming for parents/young person. It is important to seek legal advice as soon possible so that you are aware of the process and what your legal rights are.
Anita has the ability to help parents navigate through a very emotional and paper heavy process which often leads to successful outcomes. Anita’s ability to be strategic in this area whilst negotiating with the local authority has led to many successful cases (generally without the need to attend a Tribunal hearing) saving the client both time and money and, most importantly achieving the best result for the child.
If you have any concerns relating to your child’s special educational needs, please get in touch. You may be experiencing some of the following issues:
Whatever your concern, feel free to contact us today for some specialist and caring advice.
This is an area in which Anita has a particular interest and is well known for her expertise. She regularly acts for parents who find themselves in dispute with independent schools covering a wide range of issues:
Independent Schools are very different to state schools in that they do not have to conform to the same legal principles. The parent’s relationship with an independent school is contractual therefore, the policies and procedures as well as the terms and conditions that are signed at the outset become critical in any dispute.
A lot of parents will feel that independent schools can do what they want, they are not above the law. They do have a lot more autonomy than state schools however, they must act fairly, in accordance with the rules of natural justice and, the Equality Act 2010 They still owe a duty of care to any child that attends their school. As parents are paying school fees, the levels of expectations are increased.
It is always worth trying to resolve disputes internally and amicably. by speaking to the teachers or Headteacher. If this is not possible, you should consider raising your concerns in writing and use the school’s formal complaints procedure. Every school must have one in writing. This is made available on request if it does not appear on the school’s website.
If you find yourself in dispute with an independent school and need legal advice, we are here to help. Contact us today.
This can be a very difficult time for parents. It is stressful and overwhelming. However, it is important not to panic and to ensure that you seek legal help at the outset. We can help you prepare your case to the best of our abilities whilst taking you through the plethora of information available in layman’s terms.
What to do if you fail to secure a secondary school place? Top Tips….
For any further advice and assistance, contact us today.
School exclusions should be used as a last resort by Head teachers when disciplining a child. Much will depend on the seriousness of the alleged offence. Exclusions are carefully governed by the law as they can have a lasting impact on the child however, if your child has been excluded, it does not mean that their future will be harmed forever. We know this can be a big worry for parents and pupils alike. If your child has been permanently excluded or excluded for a fixed term period which you believe is unfair, it is important to seek legal advice straight away.
In state schools, you can challenge the permanent exclusion by appealing to the Governing Body. They have the power to reinstate your child if they find that the exclusion was unfair in the circumstances. If you are unsuccessful and the Governing Body do not reinstate your child, you will have the opportunity to appeal to the Independent Review Panel (IRP) however, they cannot order reinstatement. They can either uphold the decision, recommend or direct that the matter is reconsidered by the Governing Body on the basis of judicial review principles (procedural unfairness, illegality or irrationality of the decision). There is no further right of appeal against the decision of the IRP but if you feel that the process was unfair, you may be able complain about maladministration by the IRP. A successful complaint may result in a recommendation that a new IRP should be arranged, but the decision to uphold the exclusion cannot be overturned.
It is therefore important to seek legal advice as soon as possible after the initial exclusion has taken place. We are here to help and can provide you with expert legal advice and assistance. Contact us today.
Anita has developed an interest in assisting teachers in cases brought before the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and the Teaching Regulation Agency (TRA). It is an area which Anita has built a burgeoning practice over the years. She has been acting for teachers since the days when the TRA was previously known as the General Teaching Council, then the National College for Teaching and Leadership and now the TRA. Under Anita’s counsel, guidance and advice, no teacher has been struck off nor placed on the barring list. She works tirelessly to ensure that her clients are given the best advice as their entire career is at stake.
If you find yourself in a position where you have been referred to the DBS or the TRA, it is important that you seek legal advice urgently. We are here to help. Contact us today.
Anita specialises in acting for the individual in employment disputes and has developed a particular interest and specialism in acting for teachers. Anita’s expertise in Education Law compliments her knowledge within this sector and clients appreciate the holistic approach and advice she can provide.
It is always difficult when an employment dispute arises as this can be a very stressful time for the employee. Whether you have a grievance to make against your employer or wish to defend a capability or disciplinary process, it is important to seek legal advice as soon as possible so that you feel supported. Anita’s practical advice can often lead to favourable settlements which, within the employment sphere, can be of paramount importance to employees and, especially to teachers.
Anita also has a wealth of experience in acting for employees in the Employment Tribunal and works with a team of expert Barristers to provide a full and powerful legal team to act for the client.
If you think you have been:
it is advisable to seek legal advice without delay because the deadlines in Employment Tribunal are strict and tight.
A claim in the Employment Tribunal can take up to an estimated 12 months to conclude from issuing the claim form to Trial depending on the circumstances of your case. Your case can of course settle at any stage if both parties are willing to negotiate.
Costs:
Please note that all fees and disbursements will attract VAT at a rate of 20%
If you find yourself in a situation where you must issue a claim in the Employment Tribunal, legal costs will need to be a consideration for you.
You should first check to see if you have any legal expenses insurance on any policy you may have which would cover the costs of your claim. If you do, you should contact your insurance company urgently and discuss the potential claim with them. If they agree to cover your claim, we are happy to accept their fee structure and assist you.
If you do not have legal expenses insurance, we will consider your case and offer you a fixed fee for the entire process, the amount of which will be determined once we have seen the extent of your documents and considered the legal issues in your case. Every case rests on its own merits and is very different therefore, we cannot offer a blanket fixed fee for all cases. A fixed fee will offer you cost stability and certainty. A fixed fee will detail each item of work that is covered within that fee so that there is clarity.
We charge in stages of work by issuing you an invoice for each stage.
We reserve the right to vary and/or provide additional fixed fees in the event that your case raises any particular complex legal arguments or if, for example, the Trial is listed for longer than initially anticipated, there is a large amount of documents or witnesses or, it is necessary to make or defend applications. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
A case of medium complexity, in the Employment Tribunal, could cost an estimated £15,000 – £20,000 plus VAT depending on complexities. This fee would cover the entire process from start to the end of a Tribunal case to include, reviewing documents, advising on the merits of the claim, instructing Counsel to draft the ET1, considering the Respondent’s ET3, collating and assisting with disclosure, meeting Court deadlines, dealing with additional applications where necessary, preparing Witness Statements, considering Bundles for Trial, liaising with the Tribunal, the Respondent and advising you as the client throughout the case and, instructing Counsel where necessary to draft documents, attend conferences and, represent you at Trial. This fee does not include any fees for Counsel. Those would need to be agreed with you separately and are charged in addition. Their fee will depend on the length of the Trial, their seniority and experience. As an estimate, Counsel of about 12 year’s experience for a 4 – 5 day Trial could cost an estimated £10,000 – £12,000 plus VAT. This would usually include a pre trial conference, preparation and representing you at Trial. Charges for drafting documents would be in addition and agreed with you in advance.
There may be times when charging you an hourly rate would be more beneficial. If so, this will be discussed with you.
All fees are discussed and agreed with you in advance so that there is no confusion or error. Please note that the above information is being provided as a guide only. We will be able to give you a much better and more accurate fee for a claim in the Employment Tribunal once we have reviewed your papers and taken initial instructions from you and, your case has been fully evaluated.
It is important to engage with what you hope to achieve through any legal process that you wish to embark on.
If you need to discuss a claim, we are here to help. Contact us today for more information.
“I was very happy with the service Anita gave me. It was fast, accurate and was always confident of the quality of the advice received.”
“Anita was recommended for guidance with my employment situation. Right away, I found comfort in her expertise and approachability. Anita effortlessly decoded the intricacies of my legal document, making sure I grasped every aspect. Her honesty, professionalism, outstanding communication skills, and swift responses were apparent every step of the way, providing much-needed reassurance. I enthusiastically recommend Anita for her steadfast dedication and compassionate, no-nonsense approach in navigating legal matters.”
“I instructed Anita to handle a sensitive and complex legal issue on the recommendation of a professional colleague. At the outset I was stressed, worried and a bit overwhelmed. Anita was very impressive. Her in-depth grasp of my situation, the specific challenges I was dealing with and her knowledge of the law put me at ease. A weight had been lifted. Anita gave me clear practical advice, explained to me with care, setting out my options and helping me plot a way forward. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her.
“We spoke with Anita, one off, for a school Admissions Appeal Hearing preparation exercise. Anita helped us by chatting over the school admissions policy we were armed with more information on what to focus on and what the panel would be looking for increasing our confidence. Anita also helped us with a break down to point us in the right direction of our argument of medical, social and emotional needs for our son. We went on to win the appeal and were very thankful.”
“I was very happy with your service, and would be happy to recommend you. Quick and thorough. Thank you so much again.”
“I recently had the pleasure of being represented by Anita during a challenging period in my professional life. From the outset, Anita’s communication was exemplary, ensuring I was fully informed and comfortable throughout the entire process. Anita was incredibly clear in outlining all my options, allowing me to make decisions with a full understanding of the potential outcomes. Thanks to her expertise and dedication, I achieved a resolution I felt confident and satisfied with. I cannot thank Anita enough for her support and would highly recommend her services to anyone in need of top-notch legal assistance.”
“Anita can simply be described as a brilliant, efficient and results driven Lawyer. She leaves no stone unturned in her approach to dealing with her clients. An excellent advocate of the law who is very passionate, committed and dedicated to service. She does all these with humility, grace and sincerity.”
“Anita came through for my daughter at a time of extreme stress and upheaval. She professionally prepared an education appeal in under 3 days with expert evidence. We were successful and will forever be grateful.”
“I am very grateful for the exceptional legal support provided by Anita Chopra in assisting me with my case. Anita’s expertise and professionalism were evident as she explained complex legal documents with clarity and ensured I understood the implications of the same. Her responsiveness and genuine concern for my well-being made the process smoother. I wholeheartedly recommend Anita Chopra for her outstanding legal representation”.
“We engaged Anita to guide us through an appeal against our daughter’s EHCP and school placement. During a very difficult time, we were so glad to have Anita in our corner in what could have been an even more stressful and overwhelming dispute had we embarked upon this journey by ourselves. We would 100% recommend Anita to any parent who find themselves in a similar situation. With good humour, grace but above all skilful, steely determination, she got us a life changing result for our little daughter.”
“I was a recent client of Anita Chopra, her services were efficient, concise and very clear. Anita is someone who priorities her clients and their situations. She worked in good time and within a very short timeframe – I cannot recommend her enough. She made the entire process for me effortless, I would get instant responses. It is very evident that she is a cut above the rest with her flare, passion and professionalism. I would most certainly recommend her to my own family and friends – Therefore, I highly recommend her to you.”
“After exhausting all options via school & board with my complaints regarding my daughter’s treatment, I did not know what else to do. Then came across Anita’s website. I can honestly say we do not know what we would have done if we hadn’t of found her. Straight away she took on everything, which was extremely relieving for myself and family. Down to organising our representative. And was always in contact. We will be forever grateful for all her help.”
“After searching around extensively we finally came across Anita and made initial contact. We were immediately pleased with the initial communication as Anita was very transparent and explained the process fully. Anita is clearly very knowledgeable in this field through her years of experience and gave very good advice. Anita was also very efficient in her communication and dealt with all the relevant bodies and ourselves expeditiously. The entire process from the 1st appointment through to the appeals was very smooth and we got the outcome that we hoped for. We would highly recommend Anita in this area of law.”
“Anita dealt with my case in a professional and timely manner. I was outside the country and it was necessary to communicate over the Internet via email and Skype as the case developed, which proved to be no problem. Her specialist knowledge and experience of education law matters was greatly beneficial for the submission, which lead to the desired outcome of ‘no case to answer’. I would recommend Anita Chopra to anyone in education who needs legal representation. She is certainly outstanding in this field. Thanks again Anita.”
“Thanks to Anita, I was successful in my representation for my DBS. She helped me in my time of need and for that I’m very grateful. Anita is very professional and did her best to support and advocate for me.”
“During a particularly difficult negotiation with our local authority regarding a SEN school placement, Anita’s services were invaluable. She was knowledgeable, responsive and professional, and her interventions resulted in us getting the placement we wanted without needing to go to tribunal or judicial review – a result in which we had given up hope.”
“Our 11 year old son, who was very early in his secondary school career and previously had no history at all of bad behaviour, unfortunately made a very dangerous choice in response to a deeply emotional trigger linked to grief. Nobody was harmed but he did commit an offence. As a consequence, the school threw the book at him, permanently excluding him in an instant and overnight we were plunged into an emotional and legal nightmare. Fortunately we engaged Anita’s help early on and she provided clear, experienced but most importantly empathetic advice. She also took control of the communications with relevant parties. In the end, Anita helped us right through the process, along with a fantastic barrister recommended by Anita who represented us at the governors disciplinary panel and subsequently at an Independent Review Panel. The outcome of the whole process was never a foregone conclusion, the situation was extremely complex and Anita rightly did not keep us under any illusions. However she always remained positive, candid and constructive. Ultimately the IRP recommended that the governors reconsider and a second governors panel reinstated our son.”
“Anita was honest, clear and extremely approachable. Her advice and guidance was invaluable and left me with a clear strategy which successfully gave the result and outcome that I wanted. I would highly recommend her and commission her services again without any doubt. Her knowledge of education and SEND law was excellent.”
“Anita responded quickly and briefly listened to my concerns, which many solicitors insist on payment prior to any conversation. She was clear and realistic in the outcome, yet caring and gave advice even after the initial consultation. I would highly recommend her.”
“I would like to express my gratitude to you Anita for your work on my daughter’s case. the events leading to her case has had the most devastating impact on our life. the result in wining our case means some closure and a positive impact to my daughter’s life. Thank you and good luck with your work going forward.”
“Getting into a potential conflict with a school is an emotional experience because it involves the ones you love the most, your children. It is hard to stay level-headed, calm and exercise good judgement. It is important to have someone on your side who does. Anita is just such a person. Emphatic certainly, but moreover calm, precise, accurate and, extremely knowledgeable. We did reach the outcome we were hoping for, much of this thanks to Anita’s guidance and support.”
“Without Anita, we would not have won our appeal. As parents, we would have been lost in a time that clarity of mind to do what was needed. Her expertise and pragmatic approach to school exclusion leads quick resolution and peace of mind. Thank you for your help.”
“Anita was amazing from the start of the process to the end of the process. The communication from Anita was fantastic and the response time was quick and informative. Anita helped me in so many ways and I am forever grateful. It was a stressful time and Anita supported, listened and guided me through it with her knowledge and expertise. Her attention to detail for my case was outstanding and she helped me achieve the best result. Forever grateful. Highly recommended.”
“If you are looking for an Employment Solicitor, please don’t look any further. Anita is a first class professional who goes the extra mile to support and guide you. I didn’t realise solicitors like her existed! My case was extremely complex and continued for a number of months due to its complexity and backlog in the court system. Anita’s expertise, patience and kindness never ran out and she guided and advised me through the most difficult and distressing months of my life. I am forever grateful. Anita gave me strength and I don’t know where I would have been without her guidance and assistance.”
“Anita was very patient with us and articulated the strategy on how best to deal with our situation. She helped us to avoid doing anything that could have acted against us. So thanks again, without her, we would not have achieved the outcome we did. The work she did was spot on and laid the ground work better than anything we could have done.”
“Anita is a fabulous education lawyer. I trusted her completely and felt that like my daughter’s case was in the best hands. Her communication was wonderful and advice very thorough. Thank you.”
“Anita was very helpful from the start. Anita helped us a bring a satisfactory conclusion to a stressful matter. This involved a dispute with a private school demanding more fees despite a poor education standard. We would highly recommend Anita. Always prompt at responding to emails and queries. Very professional at all times.”
“Anita was very approachable and helpful with our appeal process, she was always responsive and managed to turn around the appeal in a short space of time. The appeal was successful and we are extremely grateful for her service and expertise in the area. Anita was very honest and explained the process in our initial consultation and she was patient and understanding with us during this enormously stressful time. We were extremely glad that we chose to appoint Anita to represent us and thankful that she guided us in this process to ultimately win the appeal.”
“As responsible parents, we were shell shocked when our daughter was permanently excluded from her school. Engaging Anita was the best thing we did. Throughout the case, Anita was very considerate, kept us informed at every stage and worked hard going above and beyond her remit with meticulous attention to detail. And thanks to Anita, we won our case.”
“It has been an enormous relief to find Anita at a time of distress, when we needed clear, competent and sound advice to guide us in the right direction. We have been extremely impressed by Antia’s professionalism and attentiveness throughout, and we have no hesitation in recommending her ”
“Excellent service provided by Anita”
“Anita understands the schools admission process very well and therefore she adds lots of value to solving the problem”
“I feel fortunate to have had access to Ms Chopra’s service who was recommended to me by another law firm. I needed a solicitor to bring clarity and advice to a tricky employment issue. I feel the trained eye of the solicitor allows for one’s best interest to be represented in the process of coming to an agreement. I felt Ms Chopra brought focus to the issue at hand and moved things forward quite quickly leading to a perfect outcome in my case. I would always come back to access Ms Chopra’s service if I needed it in the future and I recommend her unreservedly to anyone in need of an employment lawyer.”
“Anita helped me to deal with one of the toughest times of my life. As a Headteacher and someone who has never been in trouble for anything, it was an enormous trauma to be arrested and accused of child protection related issues. This led to an investigation by the TRA, a Determination Panel and a prospective TRA Hearing. Anita was supportive, professional, responsive and direct from the start. We worked together on the case through a number of stages. It was important to me to have someone reliable I could trust, who understood the process and was able to deal with the many requests promptly. Anita recommended we get pre hearing advice from a leading barrister. Initially, I was hesitant due to cost and self-funding, but Anita reassured me this was the best way to go. The barrister was able to see many holes in the case and the allegations and arguments constructed by the TRA. We requested a review and thankfully the case was closed before reaching the hearing stage. Anita’s advice and drive was fundamentally important to this positive ultimate outcome. She showed a determination to help me achieve the result that was right. I would thoroughly recommend Anita as a fierce advocate and a high quality educational law expert. “
“Throughout the whole process, I received the highest level of advice and support. It was not only Anita’s level of expertise that was impressive, but her ability to provide reflective and considered advice, taking the full context of the situation into account. Furthermore, when I could have easily taken the matter off track and in different directions, she maintained her resolve and stuck to the issues in question. In this way, there was no distraction but instead, a highly focussed response to my case at all times. She was able to do this, whilst ensuring that I, the client felt supported to and listened to at all times: a highly skilled approach and one that resulted in a particularly successful outcome.”
“We used Anita for our university claim. She provided an excellent, professional and very efficient service. She was very transparent with the advice she gave as she was clear and concise. Her communication was superb throughout. Would definitely use her again In the future and recommend!.”
I wanted to say a big thank you for providing us with so much constant support during what was an incredibly hard stressful few weeks with my daughter being unlawfully excluded from her senior school. I would like to add this is the first time that this headmasters decision has been overturned by the governing panel, and without you wonderful ladies this couldn’t have been done without you both as I simply didn’t have the strength to do this alone. Even if we hadn’t won our case, I would of still be exceptionally grateful for everything you had done for my daughter and my family by providing us with a fantastic service.
“Experienced and dedicated, Anita went above and beyond, guiding us through the whole process of our EHCP appeal with a calm and reassuring manner. She was patient and attentive and gave practical advice to address our concerns. We were very pleased by the outcome of our appeal.”
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Anita Chopra is the trading name of Anita Chopra Consultancy Ltd; a Firm of Solicitors authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority, SRA number 670232. Registered in England and Wales, number 12141057.