Iain Nisbet
Head of Education Law
Iain has specialised exclusively in education law since 2002, when the Education Law Unit was first set up. He acts for parents and pupils in education law cases in courts across Scotland. He was the legal adviser to the Codes of Practice on disability discrimination in education, and has recently completed the 3rd edition of the popular reference text for parents, “A-Z of Scots Education Law”.
Chambers UK 2010 says “Iain Nisbet of Govan Law Centre draws client praise for his understanding and handling of the local authorities.”
Iain is also a director of Learning & Teaching Scotland, the chairperson of a primary school parent council, and a member of the attendance council for his local area.
Lou Melia
Solicitor
Lou was one of the first solicitors in Scotland to bring an appeal to the Court of Session against a decision of the Additional Support Needs Tribunal. She is a regular contributor to SCOLAG Legal Journal as author of the education law update. Lou was also a co-founder of the University of Strathclyde’s free Law Clinic – the first of its kind in Scotland. Her remit includes training for parent groups, the Education Law Helpline and case work, where she has a particular interest in cases involving transport to school or independent adjudication.
Angela Ward
Equalities Case Worker
Angela has many years of experience working as an advocate for children and adults with additional support needs. She previously worked for Epilepsy Scotland and latterly for the “Funky Blue Smurfs” children’s advocacy group, where she was one of the first advocacy workers under the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act 2004 – as part of the Scottish Executive’s pilot advocacy scheme. Her current role involves delivering an equality and human rights case work service, funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission in Scotland.
Anne Taylor
Information & Clerical Officer
Anne moved to the Education Law Unit from a successful career within the financial and banking sector, five years of which she spent seconded to the trade union Unify. Responsible for the unit’s many statistical and administrative needs, Anne is especially adept in the use of databases and conference management.
Ann-Marie O’Brien
Legal Clerical Officer
Ann-Marie has worked as a legal secretary for over 20 years. She provides valuable assistance and adminstrative support to the Education Law Unit.
