Solicitor at Geldards LLP
Douglas Hamer
Solicitor - Associate
SRA ID: 638974
Douglas is a specialist SEN support solicitor, advising and assisting parents and young people on a variety of education issues, with a particular focus on appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal and ECHP negotiations. Douglas has diagnoses of autism and ADHD, which although presenting challenges to him, also present strengths and give him a high level of insight into what his clients’ children go through. With over nine years of experience as an education law solicitor, Douglas’ focus is on Education, Health and Care plans – ensuring they secure the right provision and placement for the child or young person. As part of this process, Douglas also ensures that they are worded robustly and protect the child or young person in the future. He also provides services concerning section 444 attendance issues, care issues, admissions appeals, disability discrimination, exclusions appeals, higher education and disability benefits.
51 Moorgate, London, EC2R 6BH
Licensed for 6 years
Practice Areas
Education
- Education 100%
3 Client Reviews
Overall experience
- Value For Money
- Approachability
About Douglas Hamer
Douglas is a specialist SEN support solicitor, advising and assisting parents and young people on a variety of education issues, with a particular focus on appeals to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal and ECHP negotiations. Douglas has diagnoses of autism and ADHD, which although presenting challenges to him, also present strengths and give him a high level of insight into what his clients’ children go through. With over nine years of experience as an education law solicitor, Douglas’ focus is on Education, Health and Care plans – ensuring they secure the right provision and placement for the child or young person. As part of this process, Douglas also ensures that they are worded robustly and protect the child or young person in the future. He also provides services concerning section 444 attendance issues, care issues, admissions appeals, disability discrimination, exclusions appeals, higher education and disability benefits.
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Contact Douglas Hamer
Resume
LICENSE
Country
Status
Acquired
Updated
United Kingdom
Currently Registered
15/05/19
03/07/25
We found no instances of professional misconduct for this solicitor
WORK EXPERIENCE
Title
Name
Duration
Associate
Geldards LLP
2023-present
Solicitor
Geldards LLP
2019-2023
expert, optimistic and helpful
I have used Doug twice with respect to my children's SEN provision and he is excellent. He is an expert in the field with a good practical knowledge of tribunal appeals and the relevant law. We have had a successful outcome each time with Doug. He also is fully versed in neurodiversity so you dont have to put too much effort into explaining (to him at least) your childs ND, or the resultant challenges your child faces (or what he needs eg in a classroom etc.) Thoroughly recommend Doug. Also can recommend good specialists to assess your child (those that stand up in tribunals, which is key) and has good contacts.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Hamer
Was this review helpful? Yes
Excellent care to detail
Douglas has always kept my son and I closely on track with our case. Douglas is a kind passionate professional with superior knowledge and skill set. He takes time to listen to the young person and puts himself in their shoes. Douglas is a fierce competitor. He fights for the rights of the young person with precision care and attention. Douglas delivers better than expected results. Douglas is the best of the best solicitor. He provides clear advice. With Douglas, you’re not just a case. You matter and attention to detail is phenomenal! He doesn’t miss even the smallest of details.
Communication is excellent and extremely fast.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Hamer
Was this review helpful? Yes
EHCP
Douglas Hamer was not the first Solicitor I had instructed regarding my sons EHCP but shortly after my first consultation I came across Sunshine Support, and listened to 2 Solicitors giving a tutorial on the EHCP process. During a subsequent telephone call, I was immediately struck with how knowledgeable and passionate Douglas was in fighting for children’s SEN needs; I instantly knew I’d found the right person to support us in what we knew would be a very difficult process!
Douglas is worth his weight in gold, we never looked back. He explains things clearly and concisely, He has very significant experience not just about the law but also about the processes and the way the local authorities behave. He has seen it, done it and got the t-shirt, so to speak. We very much felt that he “got it” when we struggled with the complexities of this awful adversarial system.
Douglas’s tenacity, attention to detail, honesty, and commitment in seeing things through were the driving force that got things done, so much so, one of our SALT assessors commented “Douglas Hammer from Geldards, I know of him through my boss, let’s put it this way, I would rather be with him at a EHCP tribunal than against him.”
This has been an arduous and incredibly stressful journey for our family, not knowing the next set of hoops we would have to jump through and to try and fight fires at every turn due to the LA’s stalling tactics and inaction.
Getting to the truth of the matter is Douglas’s complete focus. In our case the LA’s continued refusal, right up until the final tribunal hearing, to acknowledge my child’s needs, to minimise, to discount and to tell untruths created a very difficult situation that Douglas argued and controlled very professionally whilst holding the LA to account and ultimately achieving our best outcome.
Without ever meeting my child in person I always felt that Douglas knew him, knew what he needed, and above all knew what he was entitled to which was a good education and his needs finally understood and met. Getting the school we wanted was such a prize for our child, we know this will improved the quality of life for him and for us as a family and we will forever be indebted to Douglas for his support in this.
I am so please this long process is finally over for my family and I am so pleased that we found Douglas when we did to support us in this long and difficult journey.
Thank you for caring enough.
Lawyer named in this review: Douglas Hamer
Was this review helpful? Yes