Rosa Thomas

Year of Call: 2023

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Rosa is building a broad human rights, public law and employment practice, specialising in education and discrimination law.

Rosa joined Garden Court in September 2025 and has a multi-disciplinary practice that includes education, discrimination, employment, and workers’ rights law. This is informed by her specialist pupillage, completed in April 2024, in education and employment law.

Prior to coming to the bar, Rosa worked at Age UK in public affairs where she worked on policies addressing issues such as domestic abuse experienced by over 65s and barriers faced by older private renters.

Education Law

Overview

Rosa regularly represents parents and young people in the First-tier Tribunal. She has considerable experience in disability discrimination matters and appeals relating to Education, Health and Care Plans, particularly appeals concerning complex EOTIS packages and long transitions back into education settings.

Rosa has also acted in or advised on matters across the breadth of education law, including judicial review claims and independent review panels concerning school exclusions. Rosa’s practice covers university matters. Rosa accepts instructions in County Court claims concerning discrimination, breaches of human rights, negligence, and breach of contract, appearing both for and against educational institutions.

Before coming to the bar, Rosa was a volunteer representative with the School Exclusion Project representing parents at Governors’ Disciplinary Committees and Independent Review Panels to seek the reinstatement of excluded students.

Notable Cases

The role of risk assessments in exclusions concerning alleged sexual violence considered
R (on the application of (1) LM and (2) AM v An Academy Trust [2024] EWHC 2267 (Admin)

A judicial review challenge of a reconstituted Governors Disciplinary Committee’s decision to uphold a permanent exclusion. The case considered the requirement under the Keeping Children Safe in Education Guidance for a risk assessment in cases of alleged sexual violence and whether the guidance must be followed before a decision to permanently exclude is made.

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Employment and Discrimination Law

Overview

Rosa is regularly instructed in all areas of employment law, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, wages, and breach of contract. Rosa represents employees in final matter hearings, preliminary hearings and judicial mediations, as well as drafting settlement agreements.

Before coming to the bar, Rosa worked for the national charity Age UK. This background has given her particular insight into cases concerning age discrimination, both directly and by association where employees have caring responsibilities, which she brings to her casework. Rosa has a particular interest in matters concerning discrimination on the basis of menopause.

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Administrative and Public Law

Overview

Rosa aims to develop a multi-disciplinary practice across administrative and public law. Rosa welcomes instructions in all areas of administrative and public law, including education law, community care, and children’s rights.

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Garden Court Chambers and Raza Halim shortlisted at LexisNexis Legal Awards 2026

We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted: Raza Halim for the Pro Bono Award, and Garden Court for Chambers of the Year Award, and Diversity and Inclusion Award.

Friday 6 Feb 2026

Statement from Garden Court Chambers on findings of The Cranston Inquiry

We welcome the Inquiry’s findings and recommendations for the families of the deceased and the survivor.

Thursday 5 Feb 2026

Protesters cleared of Elbit Systems aggravated burglary

The six Palestine Action protesters charged over action against the Elbit Systems factory in Filton outside Bristol have been found not guilty of aggravated burglary. Garden Court barristers represented four of the defendants.

Wednesday 4 Feb 2026

Stephanie Harrison KC featured in Counsel Magazine: ‘Lessons learnt: Holding the State to account’

Stephanie Harrison KC of Garden Court is featured in the January issue of Counsel Magazine.

Wednesday 4 Feb 2026

Judge orders exemplary damages to be paid in false imprisonment claim

Stephen Simblet KC, Joint Head of Garden Court Chambers, led Daniel Grütters of 1 Pump Court on the successful appeal and damages award. They were instructed by Alice See and Felix Parsons of GT Stewart Solicitors.

Friday 30 Jan 2026

James Scobie KC secures unanimous acquittal at Guildford Crown Court

James Scobie KC, instructed by Emma Schulhof of The Purkiss Partnership, has secured an unanimous acquittal for his client following a 12-day trial at Guildford Crown Court.

Tuesday 27 Jan 2026

Publications

Rosa has written for Local Government Lawyer on Public Sector Consultations (2023) and has published articles with LexisNexis on London Borough of Camden v KT (2025).

Training and seminars

  • Legal Action Group (LAG) Education Law Conference 2025
  • Legal Action Group (LAG) Community Care Law Conference 2025

Education

BVS – City, University of London (2021 – 2022)

GDL – City, University of London (2020 – 2021)

BA, History and Politics – University of Oxford (2016 – 2019)

Professional Memberships

The Honourable Society of the Inner Temple – Member

We are top ranked by independent legal directories and consistently win awards.

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