Hannah Slarks

“Very intelligent and knows the law and procedure like the back of her hand. Thorough, logical and direct in her communication.” (Legal 500, Education)

She appears in the High Court and County Court on disputes between students and Universities. She regularly acts in the High Court and First Tier Tribunals on matters arising from EHC plans. She works on exclusions and admissions appeals.

She frequently conducts independent investigations concerning complaints made by parents and by teachers. She also chairs and advises disciplinary and appeals panels

Hannah is particularly sought after for her expertise in the handling of allegations of sexual misconduct against students and teachers. She conducts sensitive investigations on behalf of institutions, and acts for institutions and families in internal and court proceedings arising from these allegations.

Hannah also frequently acts in cases concerning trans rights in educational settings.

Examples of her work include:

R (Bournemouth, Poole v Christchurch Council) v Local Government Ombudsman CO/4871/2022
Acting as sole counsel in this important judicial review regarding how childcare providers work around the early years free entitlement funding rules.

R (XYZ) v City University
CO/4153/22
In the Court of Appeal, acted as sole counsel for the University in this sensitive case in which male student was found guilty by the University of having non-consensual sex with a drunk female student.

“Brilliant on the technical stuff and brilliant at the client handling. Great at advocacy and has emotional intelligence – she is all-round brilliant.” (Chambers and Partners, Employment)

She has a busy practice in both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court, as well as the appellate courts. She practises across the breadth of statutory employment law, with a particular experience of multi-party discrimination claims. Her clients range from investment banks, tech firms and elite private schools to individuals and charities.

Examples of her work include:

Shaima Dallali v NUS
Acted for the former President of the NUS, who was dismissed for alleged anti Semitism.  This case concerned anti-Zionism as a protected belief.

Mercer SoS for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
[2024] UKSC 12; [2024] IRLR 599; [2024] ICR 814
Acted for the Government in this landmark Supreme Court case on the right to strike. Led by Dan Stilitz KC.

Sandhu v Enterprise
[2023] EAT 169
Acted successfully for the Respondent before the EAT in this concerning the proper analysis in a case concerning multiple cumulative acts of harassment.  Hannah will appear as sole counsel before the Court of Appeal in the same matter.  Instructed by Taylor Wessing.

Zhang v Heliocor
[2022] EAT 152
Acted for the Respondent fintech company before the EAT in this case concerning the proper analysis of an application to add an individual respondent to a claim. Instructed by CMS.

Sigismund v Financial Conduct Agency, Bank of England and others
2020
Acted for the Bank of England at each stage of the litigation, from the Employment Tribunal through to the ongoing proceedings in the Court of Appeal. In this whistleblowing claim, a former adviser to the FCA brought a case on the basis that he had predicted the financial crisis and no one had listened to him. Instructed by Travers Smith.

HJ v Investment Firm (anonymised)
2020
Acted for this financial services firm, in a sensitive case concerning alleged serious sexual harassment of a personal assistant. With Hannah’s assistance, it was settled out of Tribunal on favourable terms. Instructed by Weil Gotshal.

Harrison v Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust QB
[2020] IRLR 62
Acted for the NHS Trust resisting this urgent injunction in the High Court. The case concerned when the Court may intervene when employers restrict an employee’s duties during an ongoing disciplinary investigation. Instructed by Bevan Brittan.

AC v CR (anonymised)
2020
Acted for an office services firm in this potential claim for injunctive relief. The case concerned an exiting employee’s misuse of client information. Litigation was avoided at the pre-action stage, with the assistance of Hannah’s advice and draft particulars of claim. Instructed by Allen and Overy.

Drake International Systems Ltd v Blue Arrow Ltd
UKEAT/282/15, [2016] ICR 445, EAT, January 27 2016.
Acted for the appellant company in the EAT in this leading case on the interaction between early conciliation obligations and applications to add new respondents to a claim. Instructed by Charles Russell Speechlys.

“Fiercely bright and tactically astute.” (Legal 500, Court of Protection and Community Care)

In community care, Hannah acts both for and against local authorities. She defended the Government before the Supreme Court on the placement of vulnerable children in unregulated homes. She also defended the Government’s alleged failure to protect residents of care homes during the first wave of the pandemic. She acted for the claimants in the challenge to Central Government’s funding of the deprivation of liberty regime. She has appeared in important litigation about the duties owed to families with no recourse to public funds. She has acted in major challenges to the closure and privatisation of services. She also regularly acts as sole counsel in claims concerning the duties owed to children and vulnerable adults.

Hannah has wide-ranging experience in claims concerning healthcare provision, funding and governance. She has appeared in a number of high level challenges to the closure and reconfiguration of health services. She was instructed in the challenge to the compensation scheme for those who contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products in the 1980s.  She has particular expertise in high-value funding disputes between ICBs and local authorities. She also appears in commercial disputes arising in a health context, including in arbitration.  She acts both for and against NHS bodies, and is currently instructed for NHS England in the public inquiry concerning how neonatal nurse Lucy Letby was able to serially kill babies in her care.

Examples of her work include:

Thirlwall Inquiry regarding Lucy Letby
Instructed for NHS England in the public inquiry into how NHS systems and governance could have prevented harm caused by Lucy Letby, or could prevent a future incident of this kind.  Led by Jason Beer KC.

R (West Sussex CC) v H & IoW ICB
AC-2023-LON-000119
Acted successfully as sole counsel for the local authority in a case about whether an ICB is obliged to assess for CHC when the service user is not yet receiving “optimal care”.

R (ML) v East London Foundation Trust, North East London Independent Care Board and London Borough of Haringay
CO/4050/2022
Acted successfully as sole counsel for the ICB in a case in which the claimant alleged systematic exclusion of people with bipolar disorder from access to services.

R (Gardner) v the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
[2022] H.R.L.R. 11 (2022) 185 B.M.L.R. 30 [2022] C.C.L.R. 205 [2022] A.C.D. 93
Defended the Government in this judicial review concerning the handling of the discharge of hospital patients into care homes early in the pandemic. Led by James Eadie KC and Jonathan Auburn KC, with Heather Emmerson, Yaaser Vanderman and Charles Bishop.

Somerset CC v NHS Somerset CCG and others
[2022] EWFC 31 [2022] 4 W.L.R. 51
After a series of administrative errors were identified in adoption processes, the courts were asked to decide whether public law errors in adoption applications rendered subsequent placement and adoption orders void. It was argued that local authorities would have to bring a very large number of historic cases back to court, requiring the notification of adopted families and birth families, sometimes many years after a successful adoption. Hannah acted successfully as sole counsel for the Government, arguing that this was wrong and unnecessary as a matter of constitutional law.

In re T (a child)
[2021] UKSC 35, SC July 30 2021, [2021] 3 WLR 643; (2021) 24 CCLR 339
Acted for the Secretary of State for Education in this landmark Supreme Court case concerning the circumstances in which the High Court can use its inherent jurisdiction to deprive children of their liberty. Led by Joanne Clement KC.

R (Medical Defence Union) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
CO/2273/2019
Defended the Government in this high level challenge to the creation of a State indemnity scheme for the liabilities of GPs. Led by Clive Sheldon KC.

R (EG) v Parole Board and Secretary of State for Justice
[2020] A.C.D. 93
Defended the Parole Board in a judicial review challenging the system in place to enable the effective participation of prisoners lacking capacity. Led by Jonathan Auburn.

R (Hinsull) v Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group
CO/5867/2017
Acted for the Claimant before the Court of Appeal in this challenge to the reconfiguration of emergency healthcare in Dorset. Led by Jason Coppel KC.

R (Juttla) v Hertfordshire Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group
[2018] EWHC 267, (2018) 21 CCL Rep 325, QBD (Admin Ct), February 21 2018
Appeared for local authority. A respite care service for children with complex medical needs was a ‘health service’ and the local authority should have been consulted before funding was withdrawn from it. Led by Clive Sheldon KC.

R (Smith) v SS for Health
[2016] CO/5208/2016
Defended the Secretary of State for Health in response to this public law discrimination claim. The claimants challenge the compensation scheme for those who contracted Hepatitis C from contaminated blood products in the 1980s. Led by Charles Bourne KC.

R (Liverpool and others) v SS for Health
[2017] EWHC 986 (Admin), (2017) 20 CCL Rep 391; [2017] COPLR 295; [2017] ACD 80,
[2016] CO/2780/2017,
Acted for a group of local authorities challenging the Government’s failure to fund adequately the implementation of the deprivation of liberty regime, led by James Goudie KC.

R (Keep Wythenshawe Special) v NHS Central Manchester CCG
[2016] EWHC 17 (Admin), (2016) 19 CCL Rep 19
Represented Stockport NHS Foundation Trust in complex judicial review proceedings challenging the reconfiguration of general surgical services across Manchester, led by Jason Coppel KC, instructed by Bevan Brittan.

R (Project Seventeen) v Lewisham LBC
[2015] CO/3536/201
Acted for LB Lewisham in a landmark case concerning how local authorities assess families’ eligibility for support when they have no recourse to public funds, led by Clive Sheldon KC.

R (D) v Brent LBC
[2015] EWHC 3224 (Admin).
Successfully defended a local authority as sole counsel in a judicial review concerning delays during the transition of a vulnerable adult between young person’s and adult’s services.

R (Taylor and Wilson) v Sutton LBC
CO/1817/2015.
Acted as sole counsel for a local authority defending a challenge to a change of the opening hours of respite services.

R (Jackson) v Devon
CC CO/4296/2014.
Successfully defended a local authority in a judicial review challenging a decision to close all the Council-run care homes for older people, led by Karen Steyn KC.

“She has a brilliant agility and ability to apply legal acumen and expertise to investigations.” (Chambers and Partners, Investigations)

Clients come to Hannah for her rigorous and sensitively-handled investigations. She conducts investigations across her practice areas, but particularly in contexts matters and sensitive matters involving schools and universities.

“Brilliant in her advocacy.” (Chambers and Partners, Administrative and Public Law)

“The epitome of a modern junior barrister. Highly intelligent, hardworking and excellent with clients. A genuine specialist in her area.” (Legal 500, Administrative and Public Law)

Hannah is consistently instructed in high profile public law matters. She currently acts for one of the Claimant teams challenging the Government’s Rwanda Removal Policy, and for NHS England in the public inquiry concerning how neonatal nurse Lucy Letby was able to serially kill babies in her care. In the last few years, she has appeared in cases on issues ranging care homes during the pandemic to the fire at Grenfell; from Russian interference in UK elections to antisemitism in the Labour Party.

As well as acting in high level policy matters, Hannah is sought after for sensitive matters concerning the rights of individuals.

Her broad public law practice encompasses areas such as: constitutional law; unlawful detention; human rights; electoral law; emergency services and environmental law. She has particular experience with the conduct and decision-making of political parties. She acts for claimants and defendants.

Hannah has strong public law specialisms in community care, healthcare and education. These are dealt with in separate sections.

Examples of her public law work include:

NSK v United Kingdom
Hannah is part of the team of counsel acting for one for one the Claimants challenging the Rwanda Removal Policy in Strasbourg, alongside colleagues Christopher Knight and Aliya Al-Yassin, along with others out of Chambers, and led by Raza Husain KC and Philippa Kaufmann KC.

Bradshaw v the United Kingdom
2023, Application Nos 15653/22
Acting for the Government in this claim about the extent to which the State is under an obligation to investigate and take further action in respect of Russian interference in UK elections. Led by James Eadie KC, with Chris Knight.

R (Gardner) v the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
[2022] H.R.L.R. 11 (2022) 185 B.M.L.R. 30 [2022] C.C.L.R. 205 [2022] A.C.D. 93
Defended the Government in this judicial review concerning the handling of the discharge of hospital patients into care homes early in the pandemic. Led by James Eadie KC and Jonathan Auburn KC, with Heather Emmerson, Yaaser Vanderman and Charles Bishop.

Somerset CC v NHS Somerset CCG and others
[2022] EWFC 31 [2022] 4 W.L.R. 51
After a series of administrative errors were identified in adoption processes, the courts were asked to decide whether public law errors in adoption application rendered subsequent placement and adoption orders void. It was argued that local authorities would have to bring a very large number of historic cases back to court, requiring the notification of adopted families and birth families, sometimes many years after a successful adoption. Hannah acted successfully as sole counsel for the Government, arguing that this was wrong and unnecessary as a matter of constitutional law.

R (Good Law Project and Runnymede Trust) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
[2022] A.C.D. 50
Acted successfully for the Claimants in this challenge to the appointment of Dido Harding and others to key pandemic roles, without open recruitment processes. Led by Jason Coppel KC.

R (Doctors Association UK and others) v Secretary of State for Health and Social Care
CO/2074/2020
Successfully defended the Government in this (and other parallel judicial reviews) seeking to force the Government to call a public inquiry into handling of the pandemic, and particularly provision of PPE. Led by Clive Sheldon KC and James Eadie KC.

R (Mitchell) v Secretary of State for Justice
[2021] A.C.D. 112 Acted successfully as sole counsel challenging the Government’s failure to consult on changes to the criminal injuries compensation scheme, which would prevent the disproportionate exclusion of victims of child sexual abuse. Instructed by the Centre for Women’s Justice.

Equality and Human Rights Commission investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party
Acted successfully as sole counsel on behalf of the Jewish Labour Movement, the lead complainants to the Commission’s statutory investigation into antisemitism in the Labour Party. Instructed by Mishcon de Reya.

R (Inclusion Housing) v the Regulator for Social Housing
[2020] EWHC 346 (Admin)
Acted for a leading provider of specialist social housing in a judicial review of a regulatory judgment based on the provider’s novel economic model. Led by Daniel Stilitz KC.

Sally Gimson’s challenge to selection decision of the Labour Party’s NEC
Acted as sole counsel on behalf of Sally Gimson, whom members of the Constituency Labour Party of Bassetlaw selected as their candidate for the 2019 election, after the NEC refused to endorse her candidacy. Instructed by Mishcon de Reya.

Vote Leave v Electoral Commission and Grassroots Out/Murphy v Electoral Commission
[2019] EWHC 2762 (QB)
Acted on behalf of the Electoral Commission, resisting parallel claims brought by Brexiteer participants in the 2016 referendum. The groups sought to prevent the Commission from continuing to retain and publish their financial information. The Vote Leave claim was withdrawn. The Grassroots Out claim was defeated in the High Court. Led by Tim Pitt-Payne KC.

R (Juttla) v Hertfordshire Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group
[2018] EWHC 267, (2018) 21 CCL Rep 325, QBD (Admin Ct), February 21 2018
A respite care service for children with complex medical needs was a ‘health service’ and the local authority should have been consulted before funding was withdrawn from it. Led by Clive Sheldon KC.

DSD & NBV v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis
[2018] UKSC 11
Intervened on behalf of Liberty in this Supreme Court appeal, arising from the case of the Black Cab Rapist. The case redefined the scope of an Article 3 obligation on the police when investigating crimes involving torture, inhuman and degrading treatment.

R (Gulf Centre for Human Rights) v Prime Minister
[2016] EWHC 1323 (Admin)
Represented the claimant challenging amendments to the Ministerial Code, which removed the obligation upon ministers to comply with international law and uphold the administration of justice. Led by Jason Coppel KC.

R (Moore) v Secretary of State for Local Government
[2015] ACD 44
Successfully represented the Save Farm Terrace Association in a judicial review challenging the Secretary of State’s grant of permission for the sale of allotments, instructed by Deighton Pierce Glynn. Led by Jason Coppel KC.

R (Mohammadi) v Secretary of State for the Home Department
CO/10119/2013.
Successfully represented an unlawfully detained Iranian prisoner, instructed by Leigh Day.

R (Islington LBC) v Mayor of London
[2013] EWHC 4142 (Admin)
Acted for a group of London Boroughs in a complex judicial review challenging a decision to close 10 Inner London fire stations, led by Dan Stilitz KC.

Hannah appears in a range of professional discipline contexts, particularly in the context of higher education, health and social care and political party misconduct. She successfully defended the Leader of a Labour Council, who faced expulsion from the Party following false allegations of sexual assault.