Overview
Varsha is a specialist public law barrister, with a particular emphasis in mental capacity, mental health law, and community care.
She is a member of the Attorney General’s London C Panel of Junior Counsel.
Background
Varsha graduated from Cambridge University with an MA/MSci (Hons) in Natural Sciences (Biochemistry) and an MPhil in Molecular Biology.
She subsequently worked for a number of years in bioethics research and policy at the Nuffield Council on Bioethics. There she researched and prepared major reports on the ethical issues regarding dementia, neurotechnologies that intervene in the brain, and biofuels. She also prepared papers on a range of other ethical issues, including the ethics of peadiatric clinical trials and global health inequalities.
Given her background, Varsha has a strong interest in bioethics and healthcare law.
Education law
Varsha’s practice focusses on special educational needs. She acts for parents and local authorities in appeals to the First-Tier Tribunal regarding Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), as well as appeals from the FTT to the Upper Tribunal and above.
Varsha also accepts instructions in respect of school admission and exclusion appeals. She accepts instructions from charities, schools, colleges, and school governing bodies, both from the maintained and the independent sectors.
Appointments
Attorney General’s London C Panel of Junior Counsel
Court of Protection Bar Association (CPBA): Elected committee member
RESPECT counsellor at No5 (providing advice and support to No5 members/staff affected by inappropriate behaviour)
Awards
BPTC Major Scholarship, Inner Temple (2013)
GDL Exhibition and Duke of Edinburgh Entrance Scholarship, Inner Temple (2012)
Selected by Harvard Kennedy School of Government, European Molecular Biology Laboratory and European School of Molecular Medicine to attend E4S (postgraduate summer school on science and society) (2008)
MPhil Studentship, BBSRC (2007)
Memberships
Advocate
ALBA
CoPPA
CPBA
HRLA
YLAL
Qualifications
BPTC, City Law School: Very Competent
GDL, City Law School: Commendation
MPhil Molecular Biology, Pembroke College, Cambridge University
MA/MSci (Hons) Natural Sciences, Pembroke College, Cambridge University: 2.1
