Solicitor at Douglas Silas Solicitors
Douglas Silas
Solicitor - Director
SRA ID: 28560
Douglas heads our team and he specialises exclusively in SEN and has done so successfully now for over two decades. He has been consistently named an Education Law expert by the leading UK legal directories during this time. Douglas has been shortlisted twice by the Law Society for its prestigious ‘Solicitor of the Year (Private Practice)’ award and he/our firm have won numerous awards including: ‘SEN Law Firm Of The Year’, ‘Education Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year’, ‘Outstanding Achievement’ & ‘Niche Law Firm of the Year’. Douglas is well known for his weekly ‘SEN Updates’ which is read by many thousands of people.. Douglas is also the author of ‘A Guide To The SEND Code of Practice’ (now in its 9th edition). He also wrote a regular legal column for SEN Magazine for many years Douglas is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair, as he has a rare, neurological condition called Cerebellar Ataxia which affects his speech, eyesight and balance & coordination. But, as he likes to say, it does not affect his life expectancy, cognitive ability or his sense of humour!
Gable House, 239 Regents Park Road, London, N3 3LF
Licensed for 27 years
Practice Areas
Education
- Education 100%
176 Client Reviews
Overall experience
- Value For Money
- Communication
- Initial Impressions
- Approachability
- Documentation Accuracy
- Legal knowledge
About Douglas Silas
Douglas heads our team and he specialises exclusively in SEN and has done so successfully now for over two decades. He has been consistently named an Education Law expert by the leading UK legal directories during this time. Douglas has been shortlisted twice by the Law Society for its prestigious ‘Solicitor of the Year (Private Practice)’ award and he/our firm have won numerous awards including: ‘SEN Law Firm Of The Year’, ‘Education Law Firm/Lawyer of the Year’, ‘Outstanding Achievement’ & ‘Niche Law Firm of the Year’. Douglas is well known for his weekly ‘SEN Updates’ which is read by many thousands of people.. Douglas is also the author of ‘A Guide To The SEND Code of Practice’ (now in its 9th edition). He also wrote a regular legal column for SEN Magazine for many years Douglas is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair, as he has a rare, neurological condition called Cerebellar Ataxia which affects his speech, eyesight and balance & coordination. But, as he likes to say, it does not affect his life expectancy, cognitive ability or his sense of humour!
Languages Spoken: British Sign Language, English
Contact Douglas Silas
Address
Douglas Silas Solicitors
Gable House
239 Regents Park Road
London
N3 3LF
Phone 020-8349-7700
WebsitePublications
Publication name
Title
Date
A Guide to the SEND Code of Practice (9th Edition)
A Guide to the SEND Code of Practice (9th Edition)
2014
Resume
AWARDS
Name
Grantor
Date granted
Education Law - Law Firm of the Year in England
Global Law Experts
2024
Education Lawyer of the Year - England
Lawyer International
2024
Education Law Firm of the Year - UK
Superior Lawyers
2023
Education Lawyer of the Year - England
Global 100
2023
Education Law Expert of the Year in England.
Leaders in Law
2022
Niche Law Firm of the Year (Education) - UK
Global Awards
2022
Education Law Firm of the Year - UK
Super Lawyers
2021
Education Law Firm of the Year - UK
Superior Lawyers
2021
Best Niche Law Practice 2020 - Special Education Needs
Global Excellence
2020
Education Law Firm of the Year - UK
5-Star Lawyers
2020
Education Law Firm of the Year - UK
Innovative Lawyers
2019
2019's Best Specialist Education Law Firm - UK
Corporate Excellence Awards
2019
UK - Niche Law Firm of the UK (Education)
ACQ5 Law Awards
2019
Best Specialist SEN Law Firm
SME News
2019
Boutique Education Law Firm of the Year 2018 - UK
AI Global Media
2018
Niche Law Firm of the Year (Education) - UK
Global Venture Awards
2018
Solicitor of the Year (Shortlisted)
The Law Society
2014
Outstanding Achievement (Winner)
Modern Law Awards
2013
Solicitor of the Year (Shortlisted)
The Law Society
2011
20.06.2025
We had a wonderful experience with Douglas Silas Solicitors. Douglas, Adam and Sam were so helpful, professional and hard working and they made the whole experience understandable. Douglas supported us through very challenging times and was always one step ahead filling us with such confidence. We are so grateful for the support they provided.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 23 June, 2025
We are so pleased for you and are really grateful for the very thoughtful card your son sent us.
Was this review helpful? Yes
Unbelievable support in stressful times
We are incredibly grateful to Douglas and his team for their exceptional support throughout our recent SEN tribunal process. This was the second time we’ve used their services and the second time we’ve had a successful outcome.
Douglas is highly knowledgeable, honest in his advice, and brings a calm professionalism that’s both reassuring and effective. He genuinely understands what families go through and always made us feel heard and supported. His amazing support team; Adam and Sam, have been fantastic—always professional, prompt in their responses, and meticulous with follow-ups and deadlines.
The tribunal process is incredibly stressful, but their legal expertise and unbelievable support in stressful times made a world of difference. We cannot recommend them highly enough to any parent needing expert guidance and trusted support in SEN matters.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 16 June, 2025
We are so pleased for you again and thank you for such lovely words!
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Absolutely Amazing
Douglas and his team, Adam and Sam are absolutely fantastic. Skilled, knowledgeable, prompt and empathetic. We were trying to get our child placed in a specialist school as it was very clear that mainstream setting will be impossible to attend. We decided to engage Douglas’ services and this was the best possible decision.
They guided and supported us and we managed to get a placement for our child in that school. This wouldn’t have been possible without Douglas and his team.
They don’t over promise to parents, remain calm, firm and polite in interactions with LA.
Their payment plan is clear and you get detailed invoices on what their time has been spent on.
We recommend them whole heartedly and are so very grateful to them for giving us hope for the future. Thank you Douglas, Adam and Sam.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 12 May, 2025
Thank you for these very, very kind words!
Was this review helpful? Yes
EHCP Appeal
Douglas and the team were able to take our case through two appeals: one for appealing the decision not to issue an EHCP and one to appeal the EHCP's contents and the LA's failure to name the preferred independent school for our son. Although the appeals took time, Douglas and his team had extensive knowledge that could be applied to the case, which resulted in both appeals being successful and the full support needed in the EHCP being given. It was always positive dealing with Douglas and his team, and they always have the child's best interests at the centre of what they do, offering good, accurate advice throughout.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 21 January, 2025
I am so sorry personally that your LA really put you through the mill and delayed things for your family for a couple of years, costing you much more than anyone expected. But I am so pleased that we got the right outcome for you eventually! Douglas
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EHCP Help
Douglas provided clear advice and was totally honest about our chances of success. I am happy to thoroughly recommend his services.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
Was this review helpful? Yes
EHCP appeal & tribunal
We are not sure where to start this review of Douglas and his team of Adam & Sam other than to say they are extraordinarily good!!
We had a complex (and at times daunting) case to try and secure a residential placement for our son Archie following leaving his school in June this year. We engaged Douglas in Summer 2023 and right from the outset he filled us with confidence. His considerable experience, obsessive attention to detail and cost effective fee solutions made us feel confident in our case. He took the time to really get to know us as a family and assembled a team of excellent experts to support our case. Douglas’s advice was spot on throughout in relation to both the strengths and weaknesses of our case. The tribunal was a success and the outcomes beyond our expectations and always at the centre of his advice, care and thoughts was our son Archie and achieving the best outcomes for him.
We would not hesitate to recommend Douglas - a truly exceptional and gifted SEN solicitor.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 27 September, 2024
What kind words!
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Couldn’t recommend highly enough!
We contacted Douglas Silas after we lodged an appeal re our 4 year old son’s EHCP. The LA had stated he could go to mainstream, which we knew wasn’t the right place for him. We had such little knowledge about what to do, but Douglas stepped in and took over our appeal in the most friendly and professional manner. Not only is he extremely knowledgable, he is very personable, and put us at ease during every twist and turn of the appeals process. This process can be overwhelming for a parent, but Douglas was continuously reassuring us, as well as thorough with his work. There was never a time when we couldn’t contact him. We attended a tribunal hearing with Douglas in our corner, and within 5 minutes we had the school of our choice! The hard work that Douglas and his colleagues put in throughout the process meant the hearing was very quickly concluded. Our son’s EHCP now states the specialist school of our choice and has so much more provision to help him with his education. We would give 6 stars if we could!
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 27 September, 2024
We are so pleased for you and your son. It has been our pleasure to support you through this difficult journey. We loved what you have said at the end!
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Legal Representation for Residential Placement
My experience with the firm was exceptional. The team was very professional and reliable. I must commend Douglas, Adam and also Sam for always responding to my every query. Simply put, the met all my needs and exceeded my expectations. I would have no reservation in recommending their service to anyone in need of their services
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 27 September, 2024
This was very thoughtful of you to write.
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Took away the stress
I was immediately put at ease and felt less stressed about our case simply from the initial contact and discussion with Sam.
Douglas and his team worked diligently and efficiently on our case, ensuring that we were fully informed of the process and all updates without us being ‘bogged down’ by it.
Douglas always made himself available to answer questions via email or video call and all members of this small team were professional and easy to talk to.
Douglas was good at cutting to the chase, focusing on what he knew would make a difference in our case, and swiftly putting to the side any other ‘noise’. He was always very good humoured, often with a sharp and witty analogy to explain a point.
We were served an unbelievable curve ball by the opposing side at the 11th hour and Douglas handled it expertly.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 27 September, 2024
We are really pleased that we were able to help you get what you needed. Yes, unfortunately the process has twists and turns!
Was this review helpful? Yes
From an anxious, lost boy to a thriving pre-teen!
Thanks to the help from DSS Team, my son is a thriving pre-teen looking forward to a fulfilling future.
DSS have been instrumental in getting my son the much needed help to access education and to navigate the wider world by learning to communicate and manage his emotions. He was struggling to cope in mainstream school and was lost, anxious with limited communication skills. He was being offered no support at the time. The team at DSS helped us get him the timely support in primary school and find him the right secondary school provision which is he is looking forward to joining in September.
Most of all, he is very a happy and settled child now, something not every Neurodivergent child gets to experience. We wouldn't have managed any of this without the team's support.
The team was very forthcoming with the right advice and transparent about the costs. They also proactively followed through on reminding us of any deadlines or getting additional documents/evidence for the case.
As a parent, they gave me hope and were a pillar of strength through out. I won't be exaggerating when I say DSS have played a major role in my child's wellbeing and our optimism for his future.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Silas
A representative from Douglas Silas Solicitors responded to this review on 21 May, 2024
It makes us very happy to hear that your son got both timely support in primary school and also that you have found him the right secondary school provision which he is joining in September. We are pleased that you felt you received the right advice and considered that we were transparent about the costs involved and also that we were proactive for you. Your final paragraph leaves us speechless!
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