Associate - Solicitor
Lydia Dunford is an Associate Solicitor in Boyes Turner’s Education team. Lydia is a published author of a legal practitioners’ guide on a specific area of SEND law.
Lydia ’s expertise includes:
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Lydia Dunford is well regarded for her work in the education sector where she is adept at appearing before the SEND Tribunal on a range of matters including the provision of Education, Health and Care plans.
She instils great confidence and is very reassuring and efficient. Lydia was completely professional and always kept me in the loop and gave me great options. She knew what needed to be done and really explained the legal process.
Lydia is an associate to watch.
Lydia has a sound knowledge base of SEND legal issues and the appeal process. She advises and supports clients from the initial request for an EHC Needs Assessment, up to a final EHCP being issued and beyond. Lydia consults with schools, experts and local authorities during EHCP matters and appeals, and is able to achieve successful outcomes for a number of her clients through negotiations. Lydia represents clients at the SEND Tribunal, including for Health and Social Care extended appeals, and has had positive outcomes in all hearings, often exceeding clients’ expectations. Lydia has experience of complex appeals and case manages them from beginning to end, securing significant packages of education and social care support.
Lydia has been ranked in Chambers and Partners since 2022, where is she is listed as an “Associate to watch”.
Lydia has written a book entitled ‘A Practical Guide to Education Otherwise Than at School or College (EOTAS/C)’, published by Law Brief Publishing in March 2025.
Lydia is a sponsor for Dogs for Good, a UK based charity training dogs to help adults and children with physical and/or learning disabilities, children with autism and adults with dementia. Lydia has sponsored many puppies over the years through their initial training to become specialist assistance dogs.
In her spare time Lydia loves reading, walking (ideally in the countryside), gardening and playing clarinet in a local wind band.
