AQW 40644/22-27 Written question to the Minister of Education
To ask the Minister of Education, pursuant to AQW 39020/22-27, whether the Education Authority employ their own in-house legal services for representation at Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals.
Asked by Nick Mathison MLA on 16 February 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 16 February 2026
- Answer due by
- 3 March 2026
- Answered
- 25 February 20269 days after tabling
- Department
- Department of Education
- Priority question
- No
Answer
The Education Authority (EA) has advised that it does have an inhouse legal function, EA Solicitors, which represents the Authority in certain matters before the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal (SENDIST).
However, appeals relating to an EA decision not to carry out a Statutory Assessment are managed separately by a dedicated SENDIST and Correspondence Team within the EA’s Children and Young People’s Services Directorate. This work is not undertaken by the EA’s inhouse legal team.