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LLG and ADSO issue guidance on new regulations covering school admissions appeals

Lawyers in Local Government and the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO) have produced guidance on new regulations changing the procedural and constitutional requirements in relation to school admission appeals.

The School Admissions (England) (Coronavirus) (Appeals Arrangements) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 have amended the School Admissions (Appeals Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012 in response to the impact of coronavirus.

LLG and ADSO’s guidance says: “The effect of these regulations is to provide flexibility for panel hearings to take place either in person, by telephone, video conference or through paper-based appeals where all parties can make representations in writing.

“It relaxes the rules on what happens if one panel member withdraws to enable the remaining two panel members to continue and conclude the appeal and amends timings and deadlines and provides flexibility for Admission Authorities to set revised reasonable deadlines for matters such as the submission of additional evidence.”

The guidance covers:

  • General.
  • Savings provisions.
  • Amendment of the School Admissions (Appeals Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012.
  • Remote access.
  • The School Admissions Appeals Code.
  • Procedure for appeals where coronavirus exception applies.
  • Appeal hearings.
  • Time limits.

The LLG and ADSO guidance can be viewed here.