National firm Addleshaw Goddard has joined City giant Clifford Chance in a pro bono alliance with the National Autistic Society, which will help parents of autistic children challenge local authorities about educational provision for their children.

The firms will provide advice and support, identify witnesses, gather evidence and represent parents at the Special Education Needs Tribunal (SENDIST).

Addleshaw Goddard will act for parents in the north, from its Leeds office, while Clifford Chance already advises parents across the country.

Addleshaw Goddard's five-strong pro bono team has been specially trained in educational law.

Each case is expected to need the equivalent of two weeks' chargeable hours.

Litigation partner and pro bono head Susan Garrett said: 'We already have one case under way and anticipate that there will be quite a few.

The number of cases that go before SENDIST reflects how many parents with autistic children struggle to get the right kind of educational provision for their child.'

Clifford Chance litigation partner Matthew Newick said: 'We have acted on 70 of these cases in the last two or three years.

It is a very specialised area outside of our mainstream practice and so we have invested heavily in quality control mechanisms.'

Rachel Rothwell