A Practical Guide to Claims in the First-Tier Tribunal (SEND) for Disability Discrimination in Schools in England

<p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Pursuant to the Equality Act 2010 (EqA) it is unlawful for the responsible body of a school to discriminate against a pupil or prospective pupil on the grounds of his or her disability. A claim for disability discrimination in the context of a school situated in England must be brought in the First-tier Tribunal (SEND) (the FTT). The FTT's jurisdiction with respect to the EqA is limited solely to such claims with other types of education-related claims being considered in the county court.</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Claims to the FTT differ from county court claims in a number of important respects:</span></p><ul><li><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Accessibility: the FTT is designed to be accessible to parents and young people who may have limited means and / or limited access to legal advice or representation. As such no issue fee is payable to bring a claim to the FTT and the general rule in the FTT is no order for costs. Further the FTT seeks to adopt a more informal and user friendly approach to proceedings than might be found in the county court with the aim of ensuring that parents and young people should not need to engage legal representation.</span></li><li><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Procedure: the FTT has its own distinct procedure rules. Further it operates on an inquisitorial basis in light of its role as a specialist tribunal.</span></li><li><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>Remedies: further to a determination of disability discrimination the FTT has a broad power to order such remedies as it thinks fit which could include for example reinstatement additional tuition or policy changes. To this extent the FTT's power is more wide ranging than the county court. However unlike the county court the FTT is unable to order the payment of compensation.</span></li></ul><p></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>1 - Introduction: The Equality Act 2010 in the School Context</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>2 - Disability</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>3 - Admissions and Exclusions</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>4 - Direct Discrimination (Section 13 EqA)</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>5 - Discrimination Arising From Disability (Section 15 EqA)</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>6 - Indirect Discrimination (Section 19 EqA)</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>7 - Failure to Make Reasonable Adjustments (Section 21 EqA)</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>8 - Harassment (Section 26 EqA) and Victimisation (Section 27 EqA)</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>9 - The Interrelationship Between Part 6 Chapter 1 EqA and Other Statutory Rights and Duties</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>10 - Procedure for Bringing a Claim</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>11 - Remedies</span></p><p><span style=background-color: rgba(255 255 255 1); color: rgba(0 0 0 1)>12 - Challenging an FTT Decision</span></p>