John Friel 560x670

John Friel

Year of Call: 1974
Email Address: [email protected]
Telephone: 020 7583 8055

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Clerks Details

  • Clerk Name: Russell Porter
  • Clerk Telephone: 01865 793 736
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]
  • Clerk Name: Gemma Faulkner
  • Clerk Telephone: 020 7583 8055
  • Clerk Email: [email protected]

Public and Regulatory

John is an expert in all aspects of education law, particularly complex cases involving Special Education Needs, and in disciplinary and regulatory proceedings. His wide ranging and successful track record encompasses professional conduct disputes, professional negligence and administrative law cases.

  • Articles

    • Appellants in the First Tier Tribunal, Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunal and Witnesses with Disabilities

      2nd Apr 2021

      John Friel examines the issue of dealing with disabled adults or disabled young persons who give evidence either as Appellants or where the young person is giving evidence in their own case, although the parent is conducting the appeal on their behalf, or the parent is the Appellant.

      View Article
  • Recommendations

    John Friel is a hugely experienced and impressive education barrister, who regularly advises on disability matters. He is routinely sought out by educational institutions in both the private and public sectors, and represents charities and governing bodies. His knowledge of the sector often sees him appearing before the House of Lords, the High Court, and the Upper Tribunal.
    Strengths: "John is a big hitter in education and he has been at the forefront of the sector for many, many years."
    "John Friel has a wealth of expertise and experience and we all benefit from working alongside him."
    Chambers UK 2025/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: “John's quality of work, insight and advocacy will come as no surprise to anyone who has worked with or against him.”
    “John is an expert in education law.”
    “You want John in your corner on complex cases.”
    Chambers UK 2024/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: “John is an excellent barrister who gets to the core issues of a case quickly, and his client care is phenomenal.”
    “John is a legend in SEND work.”
    “John has an exceptional understanding of education law and understands the issues being faced by the client. He is a great source of reassurance.”
    Chambers UK 2023/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: "Very experienced and very, very well respected."
    Chambers UK 2022/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: "Tactically astute and very aware of himself in court." "He is very clever and his legal knowledge is phenomenal."
    Chambers UK 2021/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: "He can get to grips with a complex case in minutes and then advise comprehensively on strategy."
    Chambers UK 2020/Education/London Bar

    "His years in practice mean that John can easily get to grips with the complex facts of a special education needs case in minutes and then advise comprehensively on strategy. In the tribunal setting he is a notable adversary who is able to persuade panels to his way of thinking with charisma and expertise."
    Chambers UK 2019/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: "One of the lead barristers in SEN in the country. He has been involved in some of the landmark cases of the past 30 years, and is an excellent advocate with a brilliant legal mind. John's involvement in tribunal proceedings usually means that a case does not go all the way to a final hearing."
    Chambers UK 2018/Education/London Bar

    Strengths: "He is well organised and extremely good at advancing clients' cases." "He has an encyclopaedic knowledge of SEN in particular."'
    Chambers UK 2017/Education/London Bar

    'One of the most experienced junior counsel in this field, he is a popular choice for individuals and parents facing educational issues that require close examination of policy, such as SEN assessment challenges.
    Strengths: "He performs excellently and knows the law better than many of the judges do nowadays as he has written chunks of it. He is incredibly quick at processing large quantities of information, and is very forensic and thorough in his investigation of the facts."'
    Chambers UK 2016/Education/London Bar

    'A superb advocate, who is very approachable and always well prepared'
    'He is a specialist in the field and he wins.'
    Chambers UK 2015/Education/London Bar

    'Possessed of vast experience and knowledge, he has unique forensic and analytic skills combined with a detailed understanding. You know you're in very safe hands, and he gives you the feeling that you're really supported.'
    Chambers UK 2014/Education/London Bar

    'John Friel is armed with 'incredible experience and knowledge,' and has 'detailed understanding of special educational needs cases.' 'A skilled, articulate advocate,' he 'always handles matters expeditiously.'
    Chambers UK 2013/Education/London Bar

    'John Friel remains a popular choice amongst claimant solicitors. He is admired for his wealth of experience in the sector, and is recognised as 'a committed advocate who does not take no for an answer.'
    Chambers UK 2012/Education/London Bar

     

    John Friel is acknowledged in the Legal 500 2023/Leading Individual - Education, London edition.

    John Friel is acknowledged in the Legal 500 2022/Leading Individual - Education, London edition.

    ‘He is an expert in SEN and has deep knowledge of procedure.’
    Legal 500 2021/Leading Individual - Education

    ‘He is an expert in SEN and has deep knowledge of procedure.’
    Legal 500 2020/Leading Individual - Education

    ‘Handles a huge range of special educational needs cases.’
    Legal 500 2018/19/Leading Individual - Education

    ‘An utterly brilliant advocate, who goes above and beyond for his clients.’
    Legal 500 2017/Leading Individual - Education

    'A maverick in the area and definitely a safe pair of hands.'
    Legal 500 2016/Leading Individual - Education

    'Particularly strong on SEN issues.'
    Legal 500 2015/Education

    'Noted for his experience acting for independent schools, maintained schools and governing bodies.'
    Legal 500 2014/Education

    • Expand recommendations
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