NEW 'ONE TOUCH' TRIBUNAL PILOT FOR SECTION I APPEALS

IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR PARENTS: New Tribunal Pilot for Section I Appeals (from 17 August)

by SEN Parent Support Group

Families need to be aware that the SEND Tribunal has quietly launched a new “One Touch” Case Management Pilot” and it only applies to Section I appeals (placement disputes) registered on or after 17 August 2026. This changes the process in ways that will affect planning, evidence, and timelines.

Here’s what you need to know, in layman terms:

What’s changing?

If you appeal Section I only, the Tribunal will no longer give you a provisional hearing date at registration. Instead, you’ll receive Standard Directions and then… nothing. No judge. No case management. No RFCs (requests for change SEND7). Not until 12–16 weeks later, when the Tribunal finally looks at your case.

This is the “One Touch” model: Tribunal touches the case once – Decides if it’s ready – Either lists it for the next available hearing or sends it to JADR (Judicial Alternative Dispute Resolution)

If not ready, issues further directions. This is a major shift from the usual SEND appeal process.

How does this affect families?

1. No early hearing date You won’t know your hearing date until months later – and it may be given with very little notice.

2. No early Requests for Change The Tribunal will not normally consider RFCs during the first 12–16 weeks. This means:

• LAs can’t delay the timetable with endless RFCs
• But parents also can’t fix procedural issues early

3. Evidence must be ready early Because the Tribunal won’t intervene until the Case Review, your bundle must be watertight.

4. Expert witnesses may have less notice This is a real risk. You may need to secure availability before you even know the hearing date.

5. Strategic impact If your child’s needs or provision (Sections B and F) also need correcting, you should think very carefully before limiting your appeal to Section I only. B/F/I appeals do not fall under this pilot and still receive early hearing dates.

Who holds the power under this pilot?

The process is now controlled centrally by:

• Tribunal Legal Officers
• Registrars
• Judges

They intervene once, at the Case Review. They decide:

• Whether the case is ready
• Whether it goes to hearing or JADR
• Whether further directions or compliance warnings are needed

This is a tight, judge‑led gatekeeping model designed to ration hearing capacity.

Why is this happening?

The Tribunal is facing severe hearing delays currently around 18 months for listing Section I appeals. The pilot aims to:

• Reduce administrative burden
• Free up hearing slots
• Streamline straightforward placement disputes

Whether it actually shortens timelines will depend entirely on hearing availability.

What should parents do now?

• Be meticulous with deadlines the Tribunal will not step in early.
• Prepare evidence early don’t wait for case management.
• Plan expert availability in advance even without a hearing date.
• Consider whether Sections B and F should be included to avoid the pilot entirely.

If you’re unsure whether your appeal should be Section I only or B/F/I, seek advice before registering. You can find support on a 1:1 basis here or join our private group here but remember B + F = I (SEN + Provision to meet that need = Setting)

Placement disputes rarely stand alone. If the EHCP doesn’t fully describe your child’s needs and provision, the Tribunal cannot properly assess whether the placement is appropriate. Including B and F keeps the appeal out of the pilot and ensures the Tribunal sees the full picture.

Note on JADR:

A JADR is a short, remote meeting with a Tribunal Judge before your hearing. It isn’t formal, and no decisions are made. The Judge simply looks at what the dispute is really about, checks whether anything can be agreed early, and makes sure the LA has done what they’re supposed to do. Under the new Section I pilot, JADRs are becoming more common because the Tribunal is trying to reduce unnecessary hearings and push LAs to sort issues out earlier. You don’t present a case it’s a structured discussion, and many parents find it helpful.

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