Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005

Parent’s representatives

12.—(1) The parent may, by giving written notice to the Secretary of the Tribunal at any time—

(a) appoint a representative;

(b) appoint another representative to replace the representative previously appointed, whose appointment is cancelled by the later appointment;

(c) state that no person is acting as the parent’s representative, which cancels any previous appointment.

(2) To appoint a representative, the parent must give to the Secretary of the Tribunal the name, address and profession of the representative.

(3) If a person whom a parent has appointed as a representative notifies the Secretary of the Tribunal in writing that he is not prepared, or is no longer prepared, to act in that capacity—

(a) the Secretary of the Tribunal shall notify the parent;

(b) the appointment of the representative is cancelled.

(4) Subject to paragraph (5), at any time after the parent has appointed a representative, and until that appointment is cancelled—

(a) the Secretary of the Tribunal shall send all documents and notices concerning the appeal to the representative instead of the parent;

(b) references in these Regulations (however expressed) to sending documents to, or giving notice to, the parent shall be construed as references to sending documents to, or giving notice to, the representative.

(5) Paragraph (4) applies—

(a) unless the parent notifies the Secretary of the Tribunal that he does not wish it to apply;

(b) subject to regulations 46(6) and 58(5).

(6) Subject to paragraph (7), at a hearing, the parent may conduct his case himself (with assistance from one person if he wishes) or may appear and be represented by one person.

(7) If permission is given by the President or the tribunal at a hearing, the parent may obtain assistance from or be represented by more than one person.