Richard Nettleton

Solicitor & Director

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I joined SEN Legal in February 2018 as a Paralegal before starting my Training Contract and becoming a Trainee Solicitor. I qualified as a Solicitor in November 2020. Prior to joining SEN Legal, I obtained an LLB Second Class Honours, Upper Division (2:1) from Bangor University where I studied between 2009-2012. I then went on to work in management roles for a major retailer for 8 years primarily based in stores around East Anglia. I have always had a strong interest in Special Educational Needs which started at a young age due to my brother’s needs. This interest clearly grew further when I received my own diagnosis of Dyslexia on the 14th March 2004. My own personal journey having special educational needs, often allows me a unique insight into the minds of the young people we represent, from the perspective of having my own special educational needs and that of living with someone who has special educational needs, and the struggles they can face accessing the education system.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 655851

  • Based in Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk
  • Licensed for 5 years

Accepting new clients via ReviewSolicitors

I joined SEN Legal in February 2018 as a Paralegal before starting my Training Contract and becoming a Trainee Solicitor. I qualified as a Solicitor in November 2020. Prior to joining SEN Legal, I obtained an LLB Second Class Honours, Upper Division (2:1) from Bangor University where I studied between 2009-2012. I then went on to work in management roles for a major retailer for 8 years primarily based in stores around East Anglia. I have always had a strong interest in Special Educational Needs which started at a young age due to my brother’s needs. This interest clearly grew further when I received my own diagnosis of Dyslexia on the 14th March 2004. My own personal journey having special educational needs, often allows me a unique insight into the minds of the young people we represent, from the perspective of having my own special educational needs and that of living with someone who has special educational needs, and the struggles they can face accessing the education system.

  • Regulated by: The Solicitors Regulation Authority

  • Regulator ID: 655851

  • Based in Bury Saint Edmunds, Suffolk
  • Licensed for 5 years

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5.0
Excellent
93%
Value for
Money
95%+
Success
Rate
95%+
Would
Recommend
Communication 5.0/5
Initial Impressions 4.9/5
Approachability 5.0/5
Documentation Accuracy 5.0/5
Legal Knowledge 5.0/5
Value for money 4.7/5
Expertise

Opening hours

Monday 09:00–17:00
Tuesday 09:00–17:00
Wednesday 09:00–17:00
Thursday 09:00–17:00
Friday 09:00–17:00
Saturday (Closed)
Sunday (Closed)

3-4 Forbes Business Centre, Kempson Way, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32 7AR

Reviews

5.0 /5 21 Reviews
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Simon Tan

Appeals Law

EHCP Advice & SEND Placement For ASD/ADHD

Richard Nettleton was incredible helping us through a very convoluted and protracted case with our son in getting an EHCP for James and into an excellent educational environment. The firm was recommended to us by friends and from our initial 15 minute conversation provided me with a structure to understand the architecture of the process as well as detailed advice on the specifics of what we needed to do from the outset to expedite our case. Richard's understanding of how to navigate the procedural and timing aspects of the EHCP and Tribunal process was especially helpful as this at times seemed labyrinthine and impenetrable. His knowledge of the law was also impeccable. I found his advice and guidance at all times insightful and progressive and we'll always be immensely grateful for his assistance with our son in finding the right school for his ADHD and ASD diagnosis. We couldn't recommend Richard & SEN Legal more highly.

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from SEN Legal Limited

Dear Simon, Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. We are delighted to hear that Richard Nettleton provided such exceptional support throughout what was clearly a complex and protracted EHCP process. Your comments about his clear guidance from the very first conversation, his deep understanding of the procedural and timing aspects, and his ability to help you navigate the system effectively are greatly appreciated. We are especially pleased to hear that his support contributed to securing an excellent educational outcome. Your trust and recommendation mean a great deal to us.

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Sally

Education

Detailed up to date legal advice from experts in their field

We have received advice and representation for a number of years, it has been consistently of an excellent standard , timely, setting out our options and has enabled our son to obtain first class support and achieve his potential securing a University place

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SEN Legal Limited

Thank you for your kind words, Sally. We’re delighted to have supported your family over the years and are so pleased to hear about your son’s success. Richard will be thrilled with your review, too.

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Liana

Education

More in 15 minutes than others gave me in 6 years

I have worked with many solicitors over the past six years — but none gave me what Richard Nettleton gave me in just 15 minutes. Richard didn’t just listen. He saw the structure — and helped me reframe our strategy in a way that transformed everything. His words helped me hold my ground at Michaela’s EHCP review. His insight empowered me to escalate to HCPC, RCSLT, and Parliament’s Autism Act 2009 Committee. His approach — pragmatic, calm, respectful — made me believe again that law can work with parents, not against them. Unlike other firms who rely on template letters and cautious delays, Richard gave me a real, tactical route forward. Because he’s not just a lawyer — he has lived experience, and he truly believes in the parent as expert. As a mother of two SEND children, and as someone who has taken our case to the very top — I say this with full confidence: If you’re serious about change, you want Richard Nettleton in your corner. Thank you, Liana Arampidou

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SEN Legal Limited

Dear Liana, Thank you for such a powerful and thoughtful message. We are truly moved by your words and grateful that Richard’s support made a meaningful difference for you and Michaela. Your courage and commitment to advocating for your children are deeply inspiring. Richard’s approach reflects our belief that legal support should empower, not overwhelm — and it’s wonderful to see that reflected so clearly in your experience. Warmest regards, SEN Legal

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Steve

Verified
Education

Personal and expert advice and support

I cannot rate Richard Nettleton and the team highly enough in the support provided. Even though Richard has been bred for this role he does seem to have an innate ability to understand a parent's concerns and how best to fight for your child. It is a shame that there is a fight but in fact with SENlegal we were able to stay relaxed and comforted that they understood what was needed and how to apply the law so we did not ever doubt ourselves or our decisions or their advice. We dealt with a few consistent and responsive team members but knew there was a depth of knowledge and experience to handle any concern. Thank you again

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SEN Legal Limited

Thank you for your kind words, Steve. We're delighted Richard and the team could provide the support and expertise needed. Your trust means a lot to us!

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Andrew

Education

Excellent service, clear and pragmatic advice

We engaged Richard Nettleton and Sarah Bearman to help us with a dispute with the Local Authority relating to a request for a repeat of one school year for our son for a number of reasons. Richard and his team were absolutely excellent in how they helped us to position the case and his application of the relevant law was exemplary. He achieved a successful outcome for us in a short space of time. I would highly recommend Richard and Sarah to any parents facing challenges relating to LA funding and EHCPs. We also felt the advice was good value bearing in mind this is a very specialist area. SENLegal are clearly a market leader in this area. Thanks

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SEN Legal Limited

Dear Andrew, Thank you for your glowing review! We're delighted to hear that Richard and Sarah provided excellent support and achieved a successful outcome for your son's case. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we're proud to specialize in this area. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you need assistance in the future. Best regards, SEN Legal Limited

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Other Reviews

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Bella

Education

Bella

Richard Nettleton and the SEN Legal team are gold standard. They know their stuff inside and out. They are pragmatic and outcomes orientated. They are smart, informed, experienced, on top of their brief at all times, always available and in touch, straightforward and lovely to deal with. I'm so grateful to them for their support and for the result they achieved.

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Robert

Education

Robert

We used Richard's firm as we had already been through a protracted, painful process to get our eldest son assessed under the EHCP with our local authority. This had been a slow process, (often outside of the statutory milestones), with poor communication and little understanding of how we would get to the right outcome for our child. Whilst we had better experience with some of the individual practitioners who assessed our child, we also had frustrating experiences including an educational psychologist who did not actually see our child in person. This resulted in an assessment and initial plan where we simply did not have any guidance as to what the right educational placement was and significant delays in even naming a placement even after most children already had their school places decided. Richard was a recommendation from the manager of the special needs playschool our child had been attending, and was an excellent one. He quickly assessed the situation, patiently and cogently set out our options and took us through the process of issuing a pre-action letter to the local authority to force them to name a placement. Richard then took us through the process of both appealing against the placement named by the local authority, which was blatantly inappropriate, and into the tribunal process. He was diligent, patient with us and excellent at taking us through the process step by step. He was also excellent at dealing with the local authority and identifying when they were pushing boundaries and when to push back. As a result of Richards and Bethans input, we were able to get the right assessments done independently, identify the right placement and get our child into an excellent specialist school that is already benefiting our son. Was it cheap? Probably not, although I suspect you could spend a lot more as well. But, more importantly, was it good value for money? Completely. Whilst we are lucky we can afford to do so, I fully believe that we would not have been able to achieve the outcome we did without Richard and his team, and our son would not have the placement and package of care that he did. Highly recommended.

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Nigel

Education

Nigel

I only have positive things to say. Very professional and responsive and a pleasure to deal with. The LA backed down on every issue prior to Tribunal. I dealt with Richard Nettleton & Bethan Hone.

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