The Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (General Provisions and Disability Claims Procedure) Regulations 2002

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

13.—(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 and profession of a representative authorised to deal with the claim on the responsible body’s behalf, and an address for service.

(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) at a hearing, the tribunal.

(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 permission is granted under paragraph (3)(a), the case statement period may, if necessary, be extended under regulation 51(1) or, if it has expired, a further period may be granted of no more than 15 working days.

(6) If, at the time permission is granted under paragraph (3), the parent has lost his entitlement to attend or be represented at the hearing in accordance with regulation 25, the giving of permission 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.