COVID-19: SENDIST procedural changes (England) under the Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020 and HESC Rules 2008—decisions without hearing, private hearings and recording

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Practice notes

ARCHIVED: This Practice Note is archived and is no longer maintained.

This Note summarises how the Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020, SI 2020/416 affect the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal by altering the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Health, Education and Social Care Chamber) Rules 2008, SI 2008/2699 (HESC Rules 2008). It should be read alongside the Practice Note: Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST) for the underlying procedural framework.

These short-term provisions were introduced to safeguard public health and to keep the justice system operating during the pandemic. Remote hearings will run until at least the close of the 2022 academic year. SENDIST expects video hearings to continue thereafter, with hybrid or in-person hearings where appropriate.

What amendments to the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber tribunal are introduced by the Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020, SI 2020/416?

The Tribunal Procedure (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Rules 2020, SI 2020/416 introduce several modifications to the HESC Rules 2008, conferring new powers on the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) so the tribunal can operate effectively throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic...

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Web page updated on 21/05/2026

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