Year of Call: 1999
Email Address: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7583 8055
Charlotte Hadfield is the Head of 3PB’s Education Team.
Her main specialism is in public law, particularly education, health and social care, with a complimentary expertise in employment cases and professional discipline cases arising out of related sectors.
Education, health and social care
Charlotte accepts instructions across the full spectrum of these interrelated areas, including:
Mental Capacity/Court of Protection
Charlotte accepts instructions to appear in the Court of Protection and is well versed in Court of Protection practice and procedure. She is experienced in anticipating and addressing points about capacity that may arise in education, health and care proceedings outside of the Court of Protection, e.g. in relation to young persons in appeals before SENDIST.
Charlotte regularly delivers training on the law relating to education, health and social care to a variety of different audiences, including solicitors, local authorities, university student advisors, lay panel members and parents.
For Charlotte's education law expertise please see her Education profile.
Employment and Discrimination
Charlotte is instructed by Claimants and Respondents across the full spectrum of employment law. She has a particular interest in employment cases in the education, health and care contexts and regularly advises on:
Charlotte regularly delivers training on employment law to solicitors and HR professionals. Please see Charlotte's separate Education & Discrimination profile.
Professional Discipline
Charlotte also regularly accepts instructions in respect of all of the professional regulators, including teachers before the NCTL, regulated healthcare practitioners before the HCPC, GMC, GDC, GOC etc, and solicitors before the SDT.
Charlotte also acts for students pursuing qualifications in the regulated sector, whether they are facing action from the external regulator or internal disciplinary action from their course provider.
For Charlotte's Disciplinary & Regulatory Proceedings expertise please see her separate profile.
Charlotte is instructed by Claimants and Respondents across the full spectrum of employment law. She has a particular interest in employment cases in the education, health and care contexts. She regularly advises on the following claims:
She is frequently instructed on behalf of both Respondents and Claimants in complex discrimination/detriment cases, and has extensive experience of cases involving direct/indirect discrimination and/or victimisation and harassment; whistleblowing, equal pay, and detriment to part-time workers. Charlotte has a particular interest in TUPE cases.
Charlotte has also represented clients charged with disciplinary offences before professional regulators. She has particular insight into the operation of disciplinary panels thanks to her experience as a Legal Assessor for the Nursing and Midwifery Council.
The crossover between Charlotte’s education practice and her employment practice, means that she is ideally placed to act in employment claims by teachers. She has extensive experience of acting on behalf of local authorities, schools and teachers in employment claims.
On the non-contentious side, Charlotte is available to advise on the drafting and interpretation of contracts of employment, disciplinary and grievance procedures, and compromise agreements.
Reported cases:
Charlotte is passionate about education and enjoys a wide and varied practice covering the full spectrum of education law and related regulatory law. She is regularly instructed on behalf of parents, young people, students, schools, academies, HE providers, local authorities, universities and Early Years and Child Care providers/practitioners.
Her work includes:
Charlotte regularly provides training on education law to a variety of different audiences, including LEAs, solicitors, university student advisors, lay panel members and parents.
Reported cases
Mental Capacity/Court of Protection
Charlotte accepts instructions to appear in the Court of Protection and is well versed in Court of Protection practice and procedure. She is experienced in anticipating and addressing points about capacity that may arise in education, health and care proceedings outside of the Court of Protection, e.g. in relation to young persons in appeals before SENDIST.
Charlotte is an expert in all aspects of education law, and in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings.
Charlotte is passionate about education and enjoys a wide and varied practice covering the full spectrum of education law and related regulatory law. She is regularly instructed on behalf of parents, young people, students, schools, academies, HE providers, local authorities, universities and Early Years and Child Care providers/practitioners.
Her work includes:
Reported cases
Charlotte accepts instructions in respect of all of the professional regulators, including teachers before the NCTL, regulated healthcare practitioners before the HCPC, GMC, GDC, GOC etc, and solicitors before the SDT.
Charlotte also acts for students pursuing qualifications in the regulated sector, whether they are facing action from the external regulator, or internal disciplinary action from their course provider.
Charlotte specialised in criminal law for the first 6 years of her practice and has since specialised in education, regulatory and employment law. She has an excellent understanding both of the regulatory/criminal law that governs regulatory proceedings, and of the persuasive advocacy required to achieve the best possible result for her clients. Charlotte is also able to advise clients on associated legal action, e.g. judicial review in respect of publication decisions.
Recent work includes:
Charlotte Hadfield analyses the case of Omar v Epping Forest District Citizens Advice (EA-2021-000595-JOJ), in which the EAT considers how to construe words spoken “in the heat of the moment” that are said to be words of dismissal or resignation.
The EAT also conducts an extensive and very useful review of the relevant case law.
Charlotte Hadfield provides a summary on Government guidance on vulnerable children published today (22 March). Children w/EHCPs will *not* automatically receive a school place - their eligibility will be subject to risk assessment. Required reading for SEND professionals.
3PB Barristers are proud to announce the launch of the first book on the law on school exclusions since 2002, co-authored by Charlotte Hadfield and Alice de Coverley.
Is a philosophical belief in Stoicism a protected belief under section 10 of the Equality Act? Yes it is, says London South Employment Tribunal.
Charlotte Hadfield analyses Mr S Jackson v Lidl Great Britain Ltd, Case Number 2302259/2019/V.
Charlotte Hadfield is head of the education team and is well-known for her handling of SEN cases. She often acts for her clients in SEND tribunals at the First-tier and Upper levels, and regularly receives instructions for judicial review claims. Her varied client list includes schools and academies, local authorities, parents and children.
Strengths: "Charlotte is a supportive, collaborative and sensible advocate. She is so calm and exactly what clients need."
"Charlotte exudes decorum, is relatable and really knows her stuff."
"Charlotte always knows how best to approach difficult cases, adopting a pragmatic and reasonable approach."
Chambers UK 2025/Education/London Bar
Strengths: “Charlotte is extremely intelligent and strong at understanding the key issues and drafting on procedural issues.”
“Charlotte understands the requirements of the client and has been successful in strike-out applications.”
“There is very little Charlotte doesn't know and can't turn her mind to. She's excellent on details and makes sure that the tribunal can see a case holistically rather than just as a series of individual decisions.”
“She is a very calming influence for witnesses, incredibly knowledgeable about the process, the advice is comprehensive and pragmatic, and she always wants the best for clients.”
Chambers UK 2024/Education/London Bar
Strengths: “Charlotte achieves excellent results whilst maintaining a reassuring presence for clients.”
“Charlotte has a remarkable ability to speedily get to the heart of the issue with confidence.”
“The support Charlotte provides is invaluable. Her responsiveness in time-pressured situations is vital.”
Chambers UK 2023/Education/London Bar
Strengths: "Always very good, very reliable and really quick to understand the issues." "She is hugely experienced and a safe pair of hands for the most complex SEND appeals."
Recent work: Acted for the claimant in D v Hampshire County Council, a judicial review of the council's decision not to make alternative provision for D's education after a consultant psychiatrist had signed D off as unfit to attend school due to his anxiety.
Chambers UK 2022/Education/London Bar
Strengths: "She really fights her client's corner and delivers very comprehensive legal arguments." "She has a very broad knowledge base - there isn't an area of education law that she isn't an expert on."
Chambers UK 2021/Education/London Bar
Strengths: "She's able to grasp a case very quickly and is extremely good in conversation with clients." "She is an exceptional barrister in the area of SEN law. Her expertise means that she is able to secure positive outcomes for young people and their families which change their lives for the better. She is also an excellent advocate."
Recent work: Instructed in R (ota DJ and BW) v The Welsh Ministers, Career Wales and Cardiff City Council, an application for a judicial review of the Ministers' refusal to carry out an assessment of DJ's education needs.
Chambers UK 2020/Education/London Bar
‘Charlotte is the stand out junior in Education law. She has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and is a most persuasive advocate. She is the go to for any matter relating to special educational needs and destined to be a Silk.
Legal 500 2025/Education/Leading Individual/London Bar
Charlotte Hadfield is noted for her expertise acting in claims concerning student and parent matters, including disability discrimination claims and SEND Tribunal appeals.
'Charlotte is extremely knowledgeable, clam under pressure, and a sophisticated advocate. Her expertise in special educational needs matters is unrivalled, and she is greatly respected by peers and the judiciary alike.'
Legal 500 2024/Education/Leading Individual/London Bar
Team head Charlotte Hadfield appeared in a case clarifying the statutory expectation for a local authority regarding an EHCP. In another matter
‘Charlotte is extremely bright, and can handle the most complex cases with ease. ’
Legal 500 2023/Education/Leading Individual/London Bar
''Charlotte is approachable and extremely helpful in both a practical and advisory capacity, using her wealth of knowledge and experience to provide thorough and clear advice.''
Legal 500 2022/Education/Leading Individual/London Bar
‘Her vast knowledge of education law is invaluable. She is excellent in tribunal appeals, thinking quickly on her feet and her advices are really detailed.’
Legal 500 2021/Education/Leading Individual
'A go-to barrister in the area of education law.’
Legal 500 2020/Education/Leading Individual
‘A well respected counsel.’
Legal 500 2018/19/Education/Leading Individual
‘A diplomatic advocate with great interpersonal skills.’
Legal 500 2017/Education/Leading Individual
National chambers 3PB (3 Paper Buildings) has increased its annual pupillage award for its current recruitment for 2026 to £60,000 from £40,000, joining other prominent barristers’ chambers in announcing increases this year. This comprises a £30,000 grant and £30,000 in guaranteed earnings, paid monthly in advance. Additional benefits are valued at approximately £17,000 and include Private Health Insurance, IT support with discounts on technology, and access to online legal resources (LexisNexis PSL+, Lexis+ Ai, Westlaw...
Continue reading3PB Barristers are pleased to confirm that 7 of its specialist education law barristers are now ranked in Chambers and Partners 2025. The group has retained its London Band 3 ranking in the publication, its barristers drawing much appreciated praise from its clients and peers, as well as recognition for its 'second to none', 'very responsive' clerking team. Group Head Charlotte Hadfield said: 'We are delighted with our latest results in Chambers and Partners’ 2025...
Continue reading3PB is delighted to report that its Education law team has retained its Tier 3 ranking in London. The team has attracted a total of eight rankings in the Legal 500’s 2025 edition published today: seven of our barristers are ranked in London, one of them is also recommended for their work in the Midlands. The directory acknowledges the team “cover[s] the complete range of education disputes, including acting in tribunal claims and judicial reviews...
Continue readingJim Hirschmann edits the 11th edition of our education law newsletter, packed full with team news, awards, book launches, events and analysis from our barristers Charlotte Hadfield, Lachlan Wilson, John Friel, Alice de Coverley, Matthew Wyard, Emma Waldron, Alex Leonhardt, Caroline Stone, Mark Green, Sunyana Sharma, Katherine Anderson, Ben Amunwa and Rosa Thomas, to name a few.
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