Rook Irwin Sweeney

Thank you to all who gave feedback. For more information, please see our website: rookirwinsweeney.co.uk/rook-irwin-s...

Legal 500 UK logo - this contains text which says 'The Legal 500 United Kingdom' in white font under a plain black background.

We are delighted to be recognised in the 2026 edition of Legal 500 once again this year, as ‘true fighters for some of the most vulnerable people in society’ and to have secured a Tier 1 ranking in Education for the second year running.

You can find out more on our website here: rookirwinsweeney.co.uk/judicial-rev...

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Jenni Richards KC at 39 Essex Chambers and @olliepersey.bsky.social at Garden Court Chambers act as counsel, alongside @cazza-bee.bsky.social and @jentwright.bsky.social

The decision to close the centres was made despite widespread opposition from the local community and overwhelming concern raised during the public consultation process.

In the last year, the 10 children’s centres identified for closure served 4,810 children under the age of five and their parents, amounting to 19,688 visits. The affected centres are particularly relied upon by vulnerable families who may now face barriers to accessing vital early years support.

We are instructed in an application for judicial review challenging the decision by London Borough of #Ealing to close down or repurpose 10 #children’scentres

An image of 3 white mugs which say Rook Irwin Sweeney and have the company logo on them, on a purple table with pens, and with two banners in the background listing our specialist services: health and welfare, statutory support, mental capacity, judicial review and education services

It's great to be at the #PDFConference2025 in Birmingham today. We're having some great conversations about how we can help #deputyship clients access #education #healthcare & #socialcare!

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Our client, supported by #JusticeforME, is crowdfunding for legal advice with the aim of ensuring that specialist health services needed by everyone living with ME/cfs are made available – find out more here: www.crowdjustice.com/case/justice... #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis @swastrosarah.bsky.social

Read the full judgment here rookirwinsweeney.co.uk/rook-irwin-s... 3/3

The High Court found that the CQC’s decision was not irrational, in terms of both process and outcome, and that it did not frustrate the laws and policies that the CQC is required to implement (the ‘Padfield’ principle) 2/3

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A judicial review of the CQC’s decision to register gender healthcare service Gender Plus Healthcare has been dismissed - @ris-law.bsky.social acted for the interested party, Gender Plus Healthcare, in successfully opposing the application 1/3

The summer holidays are the perfect time to plan ahead for the next academic year for your child with #SEND with our fixed fee #EHCP “Health Check”. Details available on our website: rookirwinsweeney.co.uk/new-fixed-fe...

Save Ealing's Children's Centres from Closure! URGENT FUNDING NEEDED. We are a group of parents, carers and local community campaigners trying to stop Ealing Council from closing 10 children’s centres across our borough.

Our clients are #crowdfunding to save 10 children’s centres in Ealing providing vital local support to children and their families and which the Council is proposing to close - find out more and support the campaign here: www.crowdjustice.com/case/save-ea...

In depth: Decoding muddy ministerial messages on special educational needs After mixed messaging on its plans for the SEND Tribunal, the government is refusing to guarantee what needs provision will remain in place. And why no mention of local authorities?

‘Failed by the system’: Polly Sweeney, Partner at @ris-law.bsky.social speaks to the Law Gazette @lawsocietygazette.bsky.social on ministerial messages on special educational needs: www.lawgazette.co.uk/news-focus/i...

Headshot of Paralegal Stephanie McClymont

Delighted to announce that Stephanie McClymont has joined @ris-law.bsky.social as a paralegal, primarily assisting with our #SEND #education work. Welcome Stephanie! rookirwinsweeney.co.uk?specialist=s...

Looking forward to supporting our solicitors Katie Sinclair and @jentwright.bsky.social tonight, both finalists at this evening's Legal Aid Lawyer of the year awards - always fantastic to hear about the inspirational #legalaid work of colleagues in the sector! @lalyawards.bsky.social
#LALY25

The next pilot runs from Autumn 2025 – more here: www.4dayweek.co.uk/national-pil...

Along with all other pilot organisations we'll continue with our new working arrangement, a 9-day fortnight, with no loss of pay. The pilot has shown that we can maintain high levels of service, whilst improving employee wellbeing. We’ll continue to offer a full service to clients across the week.

Immensely proud to have been one of the 17 trail-blazing organisations which took part in the UK #4DayWeek pilot this year, resulting in “extremely positive” findings in research published today.

Photo of Rook Irwin Sweeney team on Bell Yard at the London Legal Walk 2025

Team @ris-law.bsky.social were proud to take part in another #LondonLegalWalk yesterday, which has now raised over £500,000 for @londonlegal.bsky.social to support frontline free legal advice agencies across London and the South East #accesstojustice

Alexander's fundraiser for Mencap Help Alexander Sixsmith raise money to support Mencap

Our former client Alexander is swimming the English channel to raise money for @mencap.org.uk. Wishing him and the relay team the best of luck – you can donate to their cause here: www.justgiving.com/page/alexand... Good luck!

Photo of Alex Rook and Steve Broach KC delivering a talk on young people's rights at SXSW London on 4 June 2025

Our @ris-law.bsky.social's Alex Rook and @39essexchambers.bsky.social @stevebroach.bsky.social attended @sxsw.com London yesterday, to discuss how the law protects young people, where it is failing them, and how to fight to promote and protect their rights in relation to #healthcare and #socialcare

Photo of Joana Rossi Cardenas, new Administrator at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP

We are pleased to announce that Joana Rossi Cardenas has joined Rook Irwin Sweeney as an Administrator. You can find out more about Joana here: rookirwinsweeney.co.uk?specialist=1... Welcome Joana!

Photo of Anisha Powel, Administrative Team Leader at Rook Irwin Sweeney LLP

We are delighted to announce that Rook Irwin Sweeney’s Anisha Powel has been promoted from Litigation Assistant to Administrative Team Leader. Anisha joined our firm in January 2021 and has been an integral part of the firm’s administration team since. Very well deserved – congratulations Anisha!

Logo for Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2025

Very proud of our lawyers Jennifer Wright @jentwright.bsky.social and Katie Sinclair, finalists in this year's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards - Jennifer for Public Law and Katie for Legal Aid Newcomer. A testament to their fantastic work for our legal aid clients @lalyawards.bsky.social #LALY25

Children with special needs waiting two years to be assessed Parents and campaigners are frustrated at the delays in getting help and that councils are wasting money fighting appeals that they almost always lose

You can access the article here [behind paywall]: www.thetimes.com/uk/education... 2/2

"Across the country we are seeing huge delays in initial assessments. There’s a blatant disregard for the rules." @ris-law.bsky.social's Polly Sweeney speaks to @thetimes.com about the continued delays in councils issuing EHC Plans for Children with Special Educational Needs and Disability #SEND 1/2

Instead, it has agreed to make a fresh decision in due course, once necessary steps have been taken. You can find out more about the case, and read the letter before action, on our website here: rookirwinsweeney.co.uk/proposed-jud... [2/2]

We were recently instructed in a proposed #JudicialReview to Kent County Council’s “Special Schools Review” (a proposal to redesignate 7 special schools). Following pre-action correspondence sent on behalf of affected families, Kent has agreed not to take any steps to implement the decision. [1/2]