Celia Whittuck
Senior Associate
Celia is a Senior Associate specialising in education law.
With over 20 years’ experience acting on behalf of children and young people, she supports children, parents and university students with the full range of issues across the education system. Her background in childcare law gives her a strong foundation in safeguarding, and her empathetic, calm approach helps clients navigate highly sensitive situations with clarity and confidence. Celia works closely with families and students to address problems that often carry significant emotional and practical impact, offering guidance that is both technically precise and deeply considerate of the individual circumstances involved.
Celia’s expertise includes assisting parents with complaints against state and independent schools, school admissions and appeals, safeguarding matters and exclusion‑related issues. She supports children with Special Educational Needs, guiding families through Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) processes and representation at the SEND Tribunal. Her work in higher and further education spans academic misconduct cases, academic appeals (including degree classification challenges), fee status disputes, PhD supervision issues and complex multistrand cases involving both university procedures and court processes. Celia also advises on breach of contract, negligence and discrimination claims, whether based on gender, race or disability, and is known for her ability to combine a conciliatory, sensitive manner with tenacity where litigation is required. She frequently writes on education law issues and delivers training to external bodies on school admissions, appeals and discrimination in higher education.
Celia is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a Star Associate in the 2026 UK Guide for Education: Individuals, reflecting her specialist expertise in SEN, exclusions, discrimination and her exceptional client support across all levels of the education sector.
What people say about Celia
Areas of expertiseÂ
School Children and Their Parents
University Students
Professional memberships
Education Law Association