The Education (Northern Ireland) Order 1996

Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Northern Ireland N.I.

Constitution of Tribunal N.I.

22.— [F1 (1) The Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal for Northern Ireland (referred to in this Part as “the Tribunal”) shall exercise the jurisdiction conferred on it by this Part.]

(2) There shall be—

(a) a President of the Tribunal appointed by theF2 [F3 Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission];

(b) a panel appointed by theF4 [F3 Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission] of persons who may serve as chairman of the Tribunal; and

(c) a panel appointed by the Department of persons who may serve as the other two members of the Tribunal apart from the chairman.

(3) No person may be appointed—

(a) President or member of the panel mentioned in paragraph (2)(b) unless he possesses such legal qualifications as theF5 [F6 [F7 Department of Justice]] considers suitable[F8 after consultation with the Lord Chief Justice];

(b) member of the panel mentioned in paragraph (2)(c) unless he satisfies such requirements as may be prescribed.

[F9 (3A) The Lord Chief Justice may nominate any of the following to exercise his functions under paragraph (3)—

(a) the holder of one of the offices listed in Schedule 1 to the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002;

(b) a Lord Justice of Appeal (as defined in section 88 of that Act).]

(4) The President—

(a) F10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(b) may resign office by notice in writing to theF11 [F12 Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission]; and

(c) is eligible for re-appointment if he ceases to hold office.

(5) A person appointed member of either panel shall hold office subject to such conditions as to the period of his appointment and otherwise as may be determined by the F13 . . . body appointing him, but may resign office by notice in writing to that F13 . . . body.

[F14 (5A) For an appointment under paragraph (2)(b), the conditions mentioned in paragraph (5) are to be determined with the agreement of the [F15 Department of Justice].]

(6) The Department may—

(a) pay to the President, and to any other person in respect of his service as a member of the Tribunal, such remuneration [F16 , allowances] and expenses as it may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, determine;

(b) defray the expenses of the Tribunal to such amount as the Department may, with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel, determine;

(c) provide for the Tribunal such staff and accommodation as the Tribunal may require.

(7) The jurisdiction of the Tribunal shall be exercised by such number of tribunals as may be determined from time to time by the President.

F1 2005 NI 6

F2 Words in art. 22(2) substituted (prosp.) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 5, 87(1), Sch. 3 para. 37(2)(a) (This amendment does not come into operation before the said amending Sch. 3 is subsequently substituted (12.4.2010) by the Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), Sch. 3 para. 13; S.I. 2010/812, art. 2. This new Sch. 3 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) does not amend other legislation, therefore this amendment never comes into operation.)

F3 Words in art. 22(2)(a)(b) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 26(2) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2

F4 Words in art. 22(2) substituted (prosp.) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 5, 87(1), Sch. 3 para. 37(2)(b) (This amendment does not come into operation before the said amending Sch. 3 is subsequently substituted (12.4.2010) by the Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), Sch. 3 para. 13; S.I. 2010/812, art. 2. This new Sch. 3 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) does not amend other legislation, therefore this amendment never comes into operation.)

F5 Words in art. 22(3)(a) substituted (prosp.) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 5, 87(1), Sch. 3 para. 37(3) (This amendment does not come into operation before the said amending Sch. 3 is subsequently substituted (12.4.2010) by the Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), Sch. 3 para. 13; S.I. 2010/812, art. 2. This new Sch. 3 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) does not amend other legislation, therefore this amendment never comes into operation.)

F6 Words in art. 22(3)(a) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 26(3) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2 ( The exact substituted words of this amendment are superceded at (12.4.2010) by the substitution of words by Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 3), ss. 1(5), 3(2), Sch. para. 10; S.R. 2010/147, art. 2(2))

F7 Words in art. 22(3)(a) substituted (12.4.2010) by Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 3), ss. 1(5), 3(2), Sch. para. 10; S.R. 2010/147, art. 2(2)

F8 Words in art. 22(3)(a) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(2), 148(1), Sch. 5 para. 102(2); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 paras. 10, 12(b)

F9 Art. 22(3A) inserted (3.4.2006) by Constitutional Reform Act 2005 (c. 4), ss. 15(2), 148(1), Sch. 5 para. 102(3); S.I. 2006/1014, art. 2(a), Sch. 1 paras. 10, 12(b)

F10 Art. 22(4)(a) repealed (3.4.2006) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 86, 87(1), Sch. 13; S.R. 2006/124, art. 2, Sch. paras. 9, 11(j)

F11 Words in art. 22(4)(b) substituted (prosp.) by Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26), ss. 5, 87(1), Sch. 3 para. 37(4) (This amendment does not come into operation before the said amending Sch. 3 is subsequently substituted (12.4.2010) by the Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), Sch. 3 para. 13; S.I. 2010/812, art. 2. This new Sch. 3 of the Justice (Northern Ireland) Act 2002 (c. 26) does not amend other legislation, therefore this amendment never comes into operation.)

F12 Words in art. 22(4)(b) substituted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 26(2) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2

F13 Words in art. 22(5) omitted (12.4.2010) by virtue of Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 26(4) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2

F14 Art. 22(5A) inserted (12.4.2010) by Northern Ireland Act 2009 (c. 3), ss. 2(3), 5(7)(a), Sch. 4 para. 26(5) (with Sch. 5 para. 16); S.I. 2010/812, art. 2

F15 Words in art. 22(5A) substituted (12.4.2010) by Department of Justice Act (Northern Ireland) 2010 (c. 3), ss. 1(5), 3(2), Sch. para. 10; S.R. 2010/147, art. 2(2)

F16 Words in art. 22(6)(a) inserted (10.3.2022 for specified purposes, 10.5.2022 in so far as not already in operation) by Public Service Pensions and Judicial Offices Act 2022 (c. 7), s. 131(1)(4)(b)(ii), Sch. 2 para. 16

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Art. 22(2)(c) functions transferred from Department of Education to Department of Justice (1.4.2011) by Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/44), arts. 1(2), 3 (with art. 8(2))

C2 Art. 22(3)(b) functions transferred from Department of Education to Department of Justice (1.4.2011) by Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/44), arts. 1(2), 3 (with art. 8(2))

C3 Art. 22(6) functions transferred from Department of Education to Department of Justice (1.4.2011) by Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/44), arts. 1(2), 3 (with art. 8(2))

Tribunal procedure N.I.

23.—(1) Regulations may make provision about the proceedings of the Tribunal on an appeal under this Part and the initiation of such an appeal.

(2) The regulations may, in particular, include provision—

(a) as to the period within which, and the manner in which, appeals are to be instituted,

(b) where the jurisdiction of the Tribunal is being exercised by more than one tribunal—

(i) for determining by which tribunal any appeal is to be heard, and

(ii) for the transfer of proceedings from one tribunal to another,

(c) for enabling any functions which relate to matters preliminary or incidental to an appeal to be performed by the President, or by the chairman,

Sub‐para. (d) rep. by 2005 NI 6

(e) for hearings to be conducted in the absence of any member, other than the chairman,

(f) as to the persons who may appear on behalf of the parties,

(g) for granting any person such discovery or inspection of documents or right to further particulars as might be granted by a county court,

(h) requiring persons to attend to give evidence and produce documents,

(i) for authorising the administration of oaths to witnesses,

(j) for the determination of appeals without a hearing in prescribed circumstances,

(k) as to the withdrawal of appeals,

(l) for the award of costs or expenses,

(m) for taxing or otherwise settling any such costs or expenses (and, in particular, for enabling such costs to be taxed in the county court),

(n) for the registration and proof of decisions and orders, and

(o) for enabling the Tribunal to review its decisions, or revoke or vary its orders, in such circumstances as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

[F17 (2A) Proceeding before the Tribunal shall be held in private, except in prescribed circumstances.]

(3) The Department may pay such allowances for the purpose of or in connection with the attendance of persons at the Tribunal as it may with the approval of the Department of Finance and Personnel determine.

[F17 (4) Part I of the Arbitration Act 1996 shall not apply to any proceedings before the Tribunal, but regulations may make provision corresponding to any provision of that Part.]

[F17 (4A) The regulations may make provision for an appeal under this Part to be heard, in prescribed circumstances, with a claim under Chapter I of Part III of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2004.]

(5) Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with—

(a) any requirement in respect of the discovery or inspection of documents imposed by the regulations by virtue of paragraph (2)(g), or

(b) any requirement imposed by the regulations by virtue of paragraph (2)(h),

is guilty of an offence.

(6) A person guilty of an offence under paragraph (5) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.

F17 2005 NI 6

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C4 Art. 23 functions transferred from Department of Education to Department of Justice (1.4.2011) by Departments (Transfer of Functions) Order (Northern Ireland) 2011 (S.R. 2011/44), arts. 1(2), 3 (with art. 8(2))

[F18 Compliance with orders N.I.

23A.   If the Tribunal makes an order, [F19 the Authority] must comply with the order before the end of the prescribed period beginning with the date on which it is made.]

F18 2005 NI 6

F19 Words in art. 23A substituted (1.4.2015) by Education Act (Northern Ireland) 2014 (c. 12), Sch. 3 para. 15(3) (with Sch. 2 para. 4(3)); S.R. 2015/35, art. 2(b)

Appeals from Tribunal N.I.

24.   [F20 Where a party to an appeal to the Tribunal is dissatified in point of law with a decision of the Tribunal, that party] may, according as rules of court may provide, either appeal therefrom to the High Court or require the Tribunal to state and sign a case for the opinion of the High Court.

F20 1997 NI 5