Praised as an ‘efficient’ and ‘well-run’ chambers, the clerks at Outer Temple Chambers are ‘polite and always ready to help and assist’.

John McKendrick

Call date: 1999
Email: John McKendrick Clerk: Stephen Somerville
Areas of Law: Public Law, Disciplinary & Regulation, Environment, Child Law, Employment & Discrimination
Practice summary

John was called in 1999 and over the last ten years has developed a busy practice in the areas of public, regulatory, discrimination and education law. He has been recommended for many years in the Legal 500 and/or Chambers and Partners in the fields of public and administrative law; civil liberties and human rights; and education law.

He has acted for many individual claimants, public bodies, local authorities, companies, charities and trades unions over the years, regularly appearing in the Court of Appeal, Administrative Court, the Upper Tribunal, the county courts and a broad range of specialist tribunals.

He has successfully acted in claims against central government, government agencies, local authorities and regularly defends local authorities and various large public bodies. 

John practices in all areas of public law including: judicial review; education; community care; health care; all aspects of local government law; commercial and financial services; social entitlement; and human rights  work.  He is also regularly instructed to appear in Court of Protection proceedings for local authorities, families and the Official Solicitor.

John has developed a particular expertise in all areas of education law for many years. Clients admire his tactical know-how and sector understanding. He represents clients before the First Tier Tribunal for SEN and DDA matters and appears before a variety of statutory tribunals for exclusion, admission, complaints and professional discipline matters. He also has significant expertise in relation to the independent schools sector. He has acted for some of the largest schools in the country advising in relation to child protection, discrimination, contract, discipline and public benefit issues.

John has particular expertise in the area of non-employment discrimination law, and has been involved in many judicial reviews involving public equality duties and proceedings before specialist tribunals and the county courts in the areas of race and disability discrimination.

John also regularly appears before professional disciplinary hearings including the NMC, GTC and various professional suitability panels.

John is a fluent Spanish speaker and worked across Latin America for a large Panamanian law firm for several years.

A selection of recent cases
  • A v A Local Authority and Others [2011] EWHC 727 (COP)

 

  • Salisbury Independent Living v Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council [2011] UKUT 44 (AAC)

 

  • MM and DM v London Borough of Harrow [2010] UKUT 395 (AAC)

 

  • R (on the application of MANCHESTER COLLEGE OF HIGHER EDUCATION & MEDIA TECHNOLOGY LTD) v SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT
    [2010] EWHC 3496 (Admin)

 

  • R (on the application of BROSTER & ORS) (Claimants) v WIRRAL METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL (Defendant) & SALISBURY INDEPENDENT LIVING (Interested Party)
    [2010] EWHC 3086 (Admin)

 

  • NA v London Borough of Barnet
    [2010] ELR 617

 

  • R (on the application of BEWRY) v NORFOLK COUNTY COUNCIL
    [2010] EWHC 2545 (Admin)

 

  • R v ST EDWARDS COLLEGE
    [2009] EWHC 2050 (Admin); (2010) ELR 159

 

  • R (on the application of CITY COLLEGE BIRMINGHAM) v OFFICE FOR STANDARDS IN EDUCATION, CHILDREN'S SERVICES & SKILLS
    [2009] EWHC 2373; (Admin) (2009) ELR 500

 

  • R (on the application of RW (SUING BY HIS PARENTS (1) MH (2) FW)) v INDEPENDENT APPEAL PANEL OF HARROW LONDON BOROUGH COUNCIL
    [2008] EWHC 2433 (Admin)

 

  • B COUNTY COUNCIL (Appellants) v (1) H (2) CHAIR OF THE SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS & DISABILITY TRIBUNAL (Respondents) & BH (Interested Party)
    [2008] EWHC 1070 (Admin); (2008) ELR 333

 

  • R (on the application of S) v KENT COUNTY COUNCIL
    [2007] EWHC 2135 (Admin); (2007) ELR 648
John McKendrick

John McKendrick of Outer Temple Chambers is widely considered to be an "excellent and astute practitioner," who many say they would use without hesitation. Someone who can be counted on to do a "first-rate job," Chambers and Partners, 2012

Also highly praised is John McKendrick, who continues to enhance his reputation for independent schools work. Instructing solicitors agree he is "extremely flexible and generous with his time," whilst peers admire him as a "sharp and precise opponent.” Chambers and Partners, 2011

“...extraordinary commercial, user friendly and sharp.” Chambers and Partners, 2009

‘excellent knowledge of the law’ Education, Legal 500, 2011

"...formidable knowledge of the education field...inspiring confidence." Legal 500, 2009

Appointments & memberships:

  • Advocate, Member of the Faculty of Advocates, Scotland (Member Murray Stable)
  • Part Time Tribunal Judge, Additional Support Needs Tribunal, Scotland
  • Major Scholar, Inner Temple
  • Trustee, Migrants Resource Centre