The Education Law Association (ELAS) is a registered charity dedicated to the exchange of ideas and learning between practitioners in the education and related community care law field.
We try and bring together legal professionals, policy makers, university academics and students, education administrators, educational psychologists, social workers, and health therapists through regular talks (online and/or in person) and organise a half day annual conference.
Most of our talks are generously hosted by barristers’ chambers and solicitors’ firms and are followed by a chance to network over drinks and refreshments.
After a pause during the pandemic, we are reinstating our formal membership offering, and we are cordially writing to invite you to become a paid-up member.
You can find out more about us and join on our website: www.educationlawassociation.com
Our events over just the last 12 months have included
- 'Freedom of Expression in an Educational Context' at 39 Essex Chambers,
- 'Disability Discrimination Claims, School Behaviour and Exclusions' with Spire Barristers, Leeds.
- 'Challenging Decisions of Higher Education Providers' at No 5 Barristers Chambers.
- 'Disability, Identity and Education' with Professor Tom Shakespeare and Professor David Rueban, at SV Law, London.
- 'OFSTED Update' with 11KBW Chambers.
- Annual Conference in June 2024 with 4 leading legal experts.
We are planning an even busier timetable for the year ahead. Joining now will allow you to attend our annual conference on 19 June 2025 (please see attached flyer), and all events in the next 12 months.
We offer student membership (£45), individual membership (£85), and firm/chambers/council membership (£400, or £250 for legal aid organisations or councils). The corporate membership allows any six representatives from the organisation to attend events and gives priority for those wishing to host future speaker events with ELAS. Membership of any kind allows you to bring your own guest per event for free to try an ELAS evening talk before hopefully joining.
There will be occasional open-to-all events to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
Looking ahead, we will be introducing initiatives such as a student public law essay competition and paid internship opportunities, and a mooting competition.