Year of Call: 1999
Email Address: [email protected]
CJSM: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7583 8055
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 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.
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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