Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST)


Produced in partnership with Shazia Akhtar of Gatehouse Chambers
Practice notes

Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST)


Produced in partnership with Shazia Akhtar of Gatehouse Chambers

Practice notes
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What is the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST)?

The Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) is part of the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber (the Tribunal)).

Appeals in respect of decisions of the FTT are made to the Upper Tribunal (UT).

The FTT deals with appeals in relation to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) as well as claims of disability discrimination in relation to school and local authorities (LAs) (such as exclusions from schools).

How is a panel constituted?

Panels of the FTT are usually made up of three members (although increasingly there are two member panels). The panel always has a legally qualified chair, and the other members are experienced in SEN and disability issues.

The UT is comprised of one legally qualified member.

When can an appeal be made to the First Tier Tribunal?

All parents/guardians and young people have a right to appeal to the FTT:

  1. •

    against any amendment to an education, health and care plan

Shazia Akhtar
Shazia Akhtar

Barrister, Gatehouse Chambers

Shazia practises in public and administrative law - including education law, discrimination, community care, and human rights. She undertakes work for individuals, the OS and local authorities in the Court of Protection (both property and affairs and health and welfare). Her practice also includes commercial work such as contractual disputes, property disputes relating to academies, advising on pensions in the context of local government, judicially reviewing decisions of the Financial Conduct Authority and procurement matters, particularly in relation to public authorities.

She has a diverse practice, acting for local authorities; public bodies; NGOs; commercial organisations and individuals. She is ranked as a leading junior by the Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners. Shazia is also a qualified mediator (ADR Group).

Where appropriate Shazia is happy to receive instructions on a direct access basis.

Shazia is Consultant Editor of Halsbury’s Laws of England, Education (Vols 35-36A) 2020.

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Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom
Related legal acts:
Key definition:
Disability definition
What does Disability mean?

The term used for a person who has a disability in accordance with section 6(1) of the Equality Act 2010.

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