Advisers or Solicitors for primary school appeal (not ICS rule)

[1000bicyclesinNanjing]

Has anyone used a Solicitor or other adviser to help prepare a primary school admissions appeal for an oversubscribed year group?

This is NOT an infant class size appeal, it is for a junior class.

I understand that parents don't need an adviser, but for various reasons we REALLY want to win this appeal, and not make any omissions or not explain anything well enough.

I remember years ago reading a firm recommended on this board who help you prepare a thorough case that posters had success with, but I can't find the post now.

Um....

Speaking as an Appeals Panelist; please don't. It's not a court of law, and your arguments need to be framed around why the detriment to your child of not attending is greater than detriment to the school of taking your child. It's not a legal argument, and I've never yet seen a good appeal where the parents brought a solicitor; and it's usually obvious when one has been involved as it's very clear from the way the appeal is written (and the focus it tends to have on the wrong things).

You'll get better advice asking on here from those of us who know the procedure, honestly.

A solicitor absolutely isn't needed. Besides its 2 months until places announced?

@Mumofsend

A solicitor absolutely isn't needed. Besides its 2 months until places announced?

It's for an older child, we moved into a new area and the school is full. Not Infants.

I'm with PatriciaHolm.

I have come across far too many cases where parents have lost perfectly winnable appeals due to poor advice from a solicitor or some other paid "expert". I have seen cases where they have alienated the panel by treating the hearing as a court of law. I have seen cases where, through not understanding how admission appeals work, they have persuaded parents to drop what were actually their best arguments in favour of arguments that stood no chance of success. Unfortunately, by the time these parents contact me they have already lost their appeal, at which point it is generally too late to do anything about it.

I would strongly recommend using the expertise that is available on Mumsnet rather than engaging a solicitor or any other alleged expert.

I can only reiterate what others have said, there is no need to engage a solicitor from a legal point of view. You either have a good enough case for admission or you do not.
Practical experience is that solicitors come trying to score minor points in their clients favour and think they will win if they can create a bit of doubt. The hearing is not based on the criminal "beyond reasonable doubt", so that any doubt that is created means you win the case. It is very much on what reasons you have for your child needing a place at the school.
The other point I would make is that if the school is already significantly overcrowded then it does not matter how good your case is, you will always loose as the detriment to the school and the pupils in the school will be so high that any case you or your solicitor can put forward will not win the case.
You might want a solicitor to come to the hearing to put forward your case if you feel that you for all sorts of reasons cannot put forward your case sufficiently well. But under this circumstance I would be tempted to save the money and use a friend who will do as good a job of presenting your case.

prh47bridge always gives good advice about appeals. Listen to them.