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

Statement of the responsible body’s case, and supplementary provisions

23.—(1) During the case statement period, the responsible body shall deliver to the Secretary of the Tribunal a written statement of its case and all written evidence on which it intends to rely.

(2) The statement of the responsible body’s case shall be signed by a person who is authorised to sign such documents on the responsible body’s behalf and shall state whether or not the responsible body intends to oppose the claim, and if it does intend to oppose the claim it shall state—

(a) the grounds on which it relies;

(b) the name, address and profession of any representative authorised to deal with the claim on the responsible body’s behalf.

(3) The responsible body may amend its statement of case, deliver a supplementary statement of case or amend a supplementary statement of case if, in exceptional circumstances, permission is given by—

(a) the President; or

(b) the tribunal at a hearing.

(4) The responsible body shall deliver to the Secretary of the Tribunal a copy of every amendment and supplementary statement for which permission was given.

(5) If the President gives permission under paragraph (3)(a), he may extend the case statement period under regulation 60(1) or, if it has expired, grant a further period not exceeding 15 working days.

(6) Where the parent has lost his entitlement to attend or be represented at a hearing in accordance with regulation 35, the giving of permission under paragraph (3) shall restore such entitlement and, if necessary, the hearing shall be rearranged or adjourned, as appropriate, so that the parent can attend or be represented.