Laura Shepherd

Practice Overview

Laura is recognised by the Legal 500 as a “Leading Junior” in the field of Court of Protection. She regularly appears in the jurisdiction dealing with s.21A challenges and s.16 welfare applications. Laura acts for P, including as instructed by the Official Solicitor and other litigation friends, Local Authorities, Local Health Boards, other NHS bodies, and family members.

Outside of the Court of Protection, Laura has a broad practice in public, human rights, and Education Law. Laura’s practice often involves highly sensitive cases with a disabled or vulnerable adult or child at their heart.

Notable and Reported cases

• COVID Inquiry

  Laura is part of the team representing COVID Bereaved Families for Justice Wales

• Infected Blood Inquiry

  Led by Lloyd Williams QC, instructed by hundreds of infected and affected individuals in an inquiry into the infection of thousands of individuals with Hepatitis B and C, HIV and vCJD by the NHS through blood and blood products in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.

• The King (on the application of P) (by her litigation friend SP) v London Borough of Croydon

  https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/Admin/2022/2886.html 

• Others

  R (P) v LB Croydon [2022] EWHC 2886 (Admin)
  (Admin) and R (On the Application Of Pollock) v CYSUR: Mid and West Wales Safeguarding Children Board [2023] EWHC 299 (Admin)
  HM Treasury v Information Commissioner, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government v Information Commissioner [2024] UKFTT 902 (GRC)

• Court of Protection

  Laura represents the full range of parties in the Court of Protection and is recognised as a “Leading Junior” by the Legal 500. She has broad and extensive experience advising and representing in cases concerning mental capacity, including property and affairs cases as well as health and welfare matters.

  Laura regularly appears in front of all tiers of Judge in the Court of Protection. Her practice includes urgent applications, written advice on the crossover between the Court of Protection and her other areas of specialism, and serious medical treatment matters.

• Education Law

  Laura is joint head of the Education Team at 30 Park Place. Since joining chambers, she has developed a flourishing practice in the Education Tribunal for Wales and Health, Education and Social Care Chamber in England. Laura appears on behalf of local authorities and responsible bodies in appeals against IDPs and disability discrimination claims. Laura is happy to receive instructions from parents and learners.

• Administrative Law

  Laura is recognised by the Legal 500 as a “Leading Junior” (TIer 2) in Administrative Law and Human Rights, and as “Up and Coming” by Chambers & Partners in Administrative & Public Law. Laura’s particular focus is Community Care and Education Judicial Reviews. She regularly acts on behalf of both Claimants and Defendants in Judicial Reviews. She has successfully challenged community care decisions, failures to secure education provision, and decisions to failures to provide transport. She has also successfully defended public law decisions by local authorities in the areas of education and community care. Laura often advises at the pre-issue stage, which can sometimes lead to settlement.

• Data Protection

  Laura also appears on behalf of local authorities and Government Departments concerning data protection and information sharing issues.

• Appointments

   

  • Attorney General's regional civil panel C
• Related Publications

  Amendments to Mental Health Act 1983 made under Coronavirus Act 2020

  A Practitioner’s Guide: Basic Legal Principles, with Ruth Henke QC and Abla O’Callaghan, for the National Independent Safeguarding Board Wales

  Lucy’s Law and Third Party Sales – talk at the Institute of Licensing National Training Conference 2018 alongside Marc Abraham (Lucy’s Law Campaigner) and chaired by Sarah Clover

  Appealing and the Code – talk at 30 Park Place’s Welsh Education Law Conference 5 alongside Oliver Harris

• Memberships
  • Court of Protection Bar Association
• Education
  • Degree – English Language and Literature, 2:1, Oxford University (2013)
  • Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), University of Law, Birmingham – Commendation (2015)
  • Bar Practice Training Course (BPTC), University of Law, Birmingham – Very Competent (2016)
• Awards
  • Lord Justice Sachs Entrance Exhibition
• Recommendations
  • Laura Shepherd is a well-recognised junior and often acts for government departments and local authorities in public law matters. She frequently handles cases at the intersection of education and community care. "Laura has significant expertise and experience in public law litigation, particularly education cases. She has an eye for detail and she is a pleasure to work with." "Laura is very thoughtful and calm." "Laura is fantastic at handling complex cases and her legal reasoning is great." (Chambers & Partners 2025 - Administrative & Public Law)
  • 'Laura is a thorough barrister with an eye for detail and an exceptionally quick response time. She is receptive to feedback and has an in-depth knowledge of the law.' (Legal 500, 2025 - Administrative law and human rights, & Education)
  • ‘Laura is calm and measured. She conducts herself with calm professionalism in court as well as in professionals meetings. She always looks for practical solutions within the law, is always timely with documentation, and her drafting is clear and to the point.’ (Legal 500, 2025 - Court of Protection and community care)
  • ‘She is a very promising junior with a particular flair for education law. Her advocacy and attention to detail are excellent.’ - Legal 500, 2024 - Education 
  • 'She is an articulate and persuasive advocate. She is meticulous in her preparation and is very popular with clients for her calm, straight-talking approach and clear advice.  She is a pleasure to work with.' - Legal 500, 2024 - Court of Protection & Community Care 
  • "As an advocate, she is tenacious and unflappable. She has an impressive depth of knowledge and gives clear advice. She is a very calm presence with clients and her preparation and attention to detail are second to none." - Legal 500, 2024 - Administrative & Public Law 
     
  • 'An approachable junior who sets out advice clearly' - Legal 500, 2023 - Education
  • 'Laura's advice is measured, well prepared and thorough. Her knowledge is extensive and impressive.' - Legal 500, 2023 - Court of Protection & Community Care 
  • Rising Star - Legal 500, 2022 - Court of Protection 
  • Rising Star - Legal 500, 2022 - Education 

   

• Related Publications

  A Practitioner’s Guide: Basic Legal Principles, with Ruth Henke QC and Abla O’Callaghan, for the National Independent Safeguarding Board Wales

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