Service categories: Legal help

Service URL: https://www.richardnelsonllp.co.uk/

Secondary URL: https://www.richardnelsonllp.co.uk/services-sectors/education-solicitors/

Richard Nelson LLP is a specialist law firm providing advice and representation in employment, education (SEN), criminal regulatory and professional discipline matters. We support individuals, families, professionals and businesses at all stages of the legal process, from initial advice through to tribunal and court proceedings.

We understand that autistic individuals and families supporting autistic children and young people may face particular challenges when engaging with legal services. These can include navigating complex education systems such as Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) and tribunal appeals as well as experiencing misunderstandings in legal processes relating to workplace difficulties such as discrimination or requests for reasonable adjustments, and that anxiety can be caused by unfamiliar or unpredictable procedures.

Our team has experience with supporting vulnerable and neurodivergent clients and we work to ensure that each client feels understood, supported and able to engage fully in their case. We take a person‑centred, autism‑aware approach, adapting how we work to meet each individual’s needs.

We provide support in situations such as:

• Education and SEN matters, including issues relating to EHCPs, school or college placements, exclusions and access to appropriate support
• Employment issues, including discrimination, disciplinary action and workplace adjustments
• Professional regulatory investigations and proceedings
• Criminal or regulatory matters where communication or understanding may be a key issue

We tailor our service for autistic people in the following ways:

• Clear, accessible communication
• We use plain English, avoid unnecessary legal jargon, and can provide written summaries of advice and next steps.
• Flexible ways of communicating
• Clients can choose how they communicate with us (for example email, telephone or video call), and we adapt our pace and style to suit individual preferences.
• Preparation and predictability. We explain each stage of the legal process in advance, including what will happen in meetings, expected timelines and possible outcomes.
• Adjustments to meetings and appointments for example we can offer remote appointments, quieter meeting environments, flexible appointment lengths and breaks where needed.
• Awareness of sensory and processing needs
• We take steps to reduce information overload and create a calm, supportive environment.

We recognise the importance of reasonable adjustments and encourage clients to let us know what will help them access our service. Our aim is to provide an inclusive, respectful and supportive environment so that autistic clients including children, young people and their families can access legal advice with confidence.

Aimed at: Adolescent , Adult , Child , children with complex needs and their parents or carers, Parent/carer of a child, Parent/carer of a young person, Parent/carer of an adult, Parents or carers, families, adults, Professional, School, Students, Young person

Referral Sources: Education, Private Only, Yourself

Specialisms: Autism, Autism and Neurodivergent , Challenging behaviour, Generic, Has autism-specific elements, Has autism-specific elements, Learning disability, Staff and volunteers get autism awareness training