Sapan has a wide-ranging public law practice across education law, Court of Protection, information law and inquests.
Education Law
Sapan frequently appears in the First-tier Tribunal (Special Educational Needs and Disability) in appeals against Educational, Health and Care Plans and in claims of disability discrimination, both for parents and local authorities. He also acts as an independent legal advisor/clerk at hearings concerning admissions and exclusions.
His recent experience in the SEND Tribunal includes:
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CSH v London Borough of Croydon [2023] (Instructed by the parent in an appeal against Sections B, F and I)
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KMB v West Northamptonshire Council [2023] (Instructed by the LA in an appeal against Section I)
Sapan’s knowledge of education disputes is informed by his Employment Tribunal experience of representing university academics, secondary-school teachers and primary schools in claims under the Equality Act.
Court of Protection
Sapan provides representation in both health and welfare and property and financial affairs matters.
He has been instructed by the Official Solicitor, family members and Local Authorities in multiple proceedings under section 21A of the Mental Capacity Act. He has also drafted grounds in applications seeking the appointment and removal of attorneys and deputies.
Data Protection and Information Law
Sapan represents both claimants and defendants in cases concerning data protection and freedom of information. He has been instructed by Local Authorities and the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman in claims before the County Court. He has also drafted defences on behalf of the GLD.
His practice in information law overlaps with his employment practice. He has appeared unled in the High Court in injunction proceedings in relation to breach of confidence and copyright.
Sapan has lectured on the law regulating facial recognition technology at Royal Holloway, University of London.
Inquests and Public Inquiries
Sapan represents parties in inquests with a focus on healthcare providers. His experience includes acting for a prison nurse in a multi-week Article 2 jury inquest. He was previously instructed by one of the core participants to the Undercover Policing Inquiry.
Other Experience
Sapan’s public law practice is complimented by his experience in employment and discrimination law. His tribunal practice encompasses both claimant and respondent work across a number of industries and sectors. Sapan is also regularly instructed in professional discipline proceedings.
Sapan maintains a strong academic interest in public law matters. He is a frequent contributor to the UK Human Rights Blog. His work on the human rights compliance of terrorism law was cited by the Independent Reviewer for Terrorism Legislation in his 2021 report on the operation of the Terrorism Acts.
Before practising as a barrister, Sapan worked for the Cleaners and Allied Independent Workers Union (CAIWU), representing members in Employment Tribunal claims, ACAS negotiations, as well as internal grievance and disciplinary hearings.
He also worked as a legal researcher for the Uyghur Tribunal.
Sapan is accredited to accept instructions on a direct access basis from members of the public.
Publications
Workplace Protections for Trans People under s.7 Equality Act, New Law Journal, January 2024
Languages
Urdu (Professional Proficiency)
Punjabi (Advanced)
French (Advanced)
Hindi (Working Proficiency)
Appointments
Junior Junior Counsel, Attorney General’s Civil Panel Counsel
Governor, Royal Star & Garter
Awards
Defence Extradition Lawyers Forum: John RWD Jones QC Essay Prize (2021)
Middle Temple: Colombos Public International Law Essay Prize (2021)
Geoffrey Nice Foundation Scholarship (2020)
Middle Temple: Queen Mother Scholarship (2019)
Middle Temple: Harmsworth Entrance Award (2019)
BPP University: Advocacy Scholarship (2019)
Winner of the Leicester University Medical Law Moot (2018)
LSE: Department of Government prize for 'Best Overall Performance’ (2017)
LSE: Department of Government prize for 'Best Dissertation’ (2017)
Oxford University: Casberd Scholarship (2014-2016)
Memberships
Industrial Law Society
Employment Lawyers Association (ELA)
Qualifications
2019: University College London, LLM in Labour Law, Conflict of Laws and Public Law (First Class, with Distinctions in all subjects)
2017: London School of Economics, MSc Comparative Politics (First Class, Top of Year)
2016: University of Oxford, BA History and Politics
