Business Details
29 Years
experience
Specialist Education & Family Law Solicitors
Established in 1997, Sinclairslaw has evolved into one of England and Wales' most successful legal practices, specialising in education law, family law, and judicial review. Our firm, headquartered in Cardiff, combines over 25 years of collective experience with a client-centric approach, offering tailored legal solutions for individuals and organisations. Recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners, we maintain a Band 1 ranking for excellence in education law, supported by a team of accredited specialists.Our services span special educational needs, higher education disputes, family mediation, and property litigation, delivered through offices in Cardiff, London, Penarth, and Twickenham. We prioritise transparency in pricing, offering fixed fees and hourly rates starting from 125, alongside 24/7 data protection compliance and nationwide accessibility.
Services
Education Law
Family Law
Litigation
Property Conveyancing
Private Client Services
Court of Protection
Discrimination Law
Information Law
Wills & Probate
Judicial Review
Details
- Year established: 1997
Highlights and features
- 25+ years of combined experience in education and family law
- Ranked Band 1 in Legal 500 for education law expertise
- Fixed fee and hourly rate options from 125/hour
- Nationwide service with offices in Cardiff, London, and Penarth
- Transparent pricing and 24/7 data protection compliance
Associations and certifications
- Solicitors Regulation Authority
Services
Education Law
Specialising in special educational needs (SEN) and higher education law, we represent parents and students in tribunal cases, university disputes, and curriculum challenges. Our team handles exclusions, statementing, and SEN tribunal cases with a success rate built on 23 years of experience. We advise on human rights implications in education and provide strategic litigation support for local authority disputes.
Family Law
Our accredited specialists manage high-value divorces, child custody arrangements, and domestic violence cases. With over 25 years' experience, we offer tailored solutions including pre-nuptial agreements and mediation services. We represent clients in high court proceedings and complex asset divisions, prioritising child welfare and financial settlements.
Property Conveyancing
Providing residential and commercial conveyancing services across Wales and England, we handle sales, purchases, and remortgages with fixed fee structures. Our Cardiff-based team manages transactions from 550 (Wales) to 900 (England), including leasehold management packs and stamp duty calculations. We ensure compliance with anti-money laundering regulations and provide abortive cost guarantees.
Court of Protection
We assist in deputyship applications, deprivation of liberty cases, and medical treatment disputes for vulnerable adults. Our specialists operate nationwide, representing clients in residence and contact disputes. We advise on legal aid eligibility and urgent medical treatment cases, working with IMCAs and family representatives.
Judicial Review
Challenging public body decisions under the Human Rights Act 1998, we specialise in education policy disputes, discrimination claims, and information law. Our team handles Freedom of Information requests and Equality Act breaches, with expertise in higher education contractual disputes and academic appeals.
People
Michael Charles
Chief Executive Officer
With over 20 years in education law, Michael Charles leads Sinclairslaw's education department. He has secured landmark rulings in SEN cases and university disputes, maintaining a 'dogged pursuit of justice' approach praised by clients.
Suzanne Thomas
Head of Family Law
An accredited family law specialist with 25+ years' experience, Suzanne Thomas heads Cardiff's family department. She focuses on complex divorces and child arrangement orders, combining empathy with strategic litigation expertise.
Robert North
Head of Litigation
With 30 years in civil litigation, Robert North manages contested probate, professional negligence, and education disputes. His expertise spans contractual conflicts and higher education appeals, ensuring robust representation in court proceedings.
Rachel Rees-Gralton
Head of Conveyancing
Leading Wales' conveyancing team, Rachel Rees-Gralton oversees residential and commercial property transactions. With 40+ combined years' experience, she ensures efficient completions and transparent pricing structures for buyers and sellers.
John Ford
Discrimination Law Specialist
John Ford specialises in Equality Act claims and human rights cases. His practice covers education sector discrimination and public body challenges, utilising Article 8 and 14 ECHR protections for vulnerable clients.
Questions
What areas of law does Sinclairslawlaw specialise in?
We specialise in education law (SEN, university disputes), family law (divorce, child custody), property conveyancing, judicial review, and Court of Protection cases.
Do you offer fixed fee legal services?
Yes, we provide fixed fee options for conveyancing, will drafting, and family law matters starting from £550, with transparent pricing structures.
Which regions do you serve?
We operate nationwide with offices in Cardiff, London, Penarth, and Twickenham, offering both local representation and national coverage.
How experienced is your education law team?
Our education law department has 23 years' experience, led by Michael Charles who has secured landmark SEN tribunal rulings and university dispute precedents.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept fixed fees, hourly rates from £125/hour, and bank transfers, with detailed cost breakdowns provided before case commencement.
Are you regulated by legal authorities?
Yes, we are authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (No: 613838), maintaining Band 1 Legal 500 rankings since 2015.
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