The Special Educational Needs Tribunal for Wales Regulations 2012

Evidence at hearing

46.—(1) Subject to regulation 43(6), in the course of the hearing the parties are entitled to give evidence, to call witnesses, to question any witness and to address the tribunal panel both on the evidence, including the written evidence submitted before the hearing, and generally on the subject matter of the appeal or the claim.

(2) A party is not entitled to call more than two witnesses to give evidence orally (in addition to any witness whose attendance is required in accordance with paragraph (6)).

(3) The President or the tribunal panel may permit the following persons to give evidence and address the tribunal panel on the subject matter of the appeal or the claim—

(a) the child where the child is not a party to the appeal or the claim;

(b) the parent of the child where the parent is not a party to the appeal or the claim;

(c) a person who has submitted a declaration of suitability to the Tribunal in accordance with regulation 66 to act as a case friend.

(4) The President or the tribunal panel may permit—

(a) the person, if any, named in response to an enquiry under regulation 26(a)(vii) to give evidence and address the tribunal panel on the child’s views and wishes;

(b) the local authority or the responsible body to question the person specified in sub-paragraph (a) in relation to any evidence or address made to the tribunal panel.

(5) Evidence before the tribunal panel may be given—

(a) orally; or

(b) by written statement if such evidence is submitted with the appeal application or claim application or the case statement or in accordance with regulation 50.

(6) The President or the tribunal panel may at any stage of the appeal or the claim require the personal attendance of any maker of any written statement.

(7) The President or the tribunal panel may receive evidence of any fact which appears to the President or the tribunal panel to be relevant.

(8) The President or the tribunal panel may require any party or witness to give evidence on oath or affirmation, and for that purpose there may be administered an oath or affirmation in the correct form, or may require any evidence given by a written statement to be given by statement of truth.