Tribunal - mediation - how likely to happen?

[bjkmummy]

Got 4 weeks to go - my LA taking the view that ignoring me is the best option and haven't spoken to me for months so I am anxious that it is possible that they will try and go down the mediation route. How long before tribunal does his usually happen or do they leave it to the last minute or do they even just not bother?

Ima but perplexed now really cos they they have done no extra reports etc though I know they could try the late evidence tactic. After this need to go and get the case statement done, must focus!

I haven't been through tribunal.........yet, however I have done mediation.

I doubt they'll go down the mediation route as it is officially called, but they WILL probably start talking to you soon.

Late evidence tactic is risky for them.

It's absolutely impossible to say for certain, but I cannot see, if all is as you say it is, that they will actually go ahead with the tribunal. However, some LA's like to 'settle' as close to the date as possible to ensure that parents are lumbered with maximum costs for independent witnesses etc. Unfortunately, whilst it is within the tribunal's remit to award costs for this, they won't.

their solicitor letter the other day is probably the start then. the headache the LA have is that because they went and got an OT report to rubbish mine which backfired on them spectaculary, their OT recommendations mean my school choice is struggling to meet his needs. there is one point which im happy to remove but will leave the LA stewing cos they are going to look ridiculous after saying mainstream okay then trying to do mainstream with unit when a specialsit asd school is saying they may not be able to meet his needs. my school have been kept in the loop via working doucment - the schools LA consulted also only got the generic statement which has nothing in. think this is why there solicitor is asking me if i just want my OT report in the working document when really both reports need to go in which is what i have said. i need the wroking doucment back - theyve had it 5 weeks - asked 3 times now for it back as they did it wrong but still no sign of it. if they returned it could sort out the sticking point and maybe just maybe get it sorted and he could be in a new school after half term