LA Representation for tribunal- I'm doomed

[adrianna22]

Just found out that the LA's is having a barrister to represent them, oh and three other witnesses...

I've researched the barrister and he seems very good!

I'm doomed. This process ain't easy.

Dont give up adrianna no body knows your boy like you do and the panel will listen to you!!

Keep going, you can do this!!

Thanks ineedpatience I needed that boost.

They must be quite worried to opt for a barrister against an unrepresented parent. I suspect the tribunal won't be too impressed with them, it really is overkill.

Do not give up.

As Gandhi once said:-
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win"

Have you spoken to IPSEA as they can help with tribunals.

www.ipsea.org.uk

In a David and Goliath situation, although uncomfortable to occupy, the panel tend to route for David, especially when the tax payer is funding Goliath (believing him to be the BFG).

My LA had a barrister and he seemed amazing when I researched him online. However when I spoke to indie school about him they said he was useless and the LA had never won a tribunal against that particular school with him representing. Don't lose heart.

I think the LA has there own barrister for tribunal- but I guess there using them for my case.

I presume DS school must of told the LA (somehow) who I'll be getting my independents assessments from (as they are quite know).

don't be disheartened - Ive had this twice now Adrianna and won both times and one was for an indie placement - im expecting next week I will be saying the exact same as you as think its likely mine are taking me all the way again given whats happened earlier today (will put a post on about that in a minute)

last time someone said to me to take it as a compliment and also the barrister in some ways can be a positive as if the LA case is weak he can make them see reason and he also wont want to get on the bad side of the judge and will follow the law.

I have know other parents use barristers themselves and not won and figures re legal representation don't really make a huge difference to the outcome the most important thing to remember is the evidence - if you have that you will be okay

Sometimes having LA representation is actually better for you. There is less nonsense as the barrister won't let half the hearing be taken up with irrelevant ramblings that take you over to another day.

Also, you mustn't take this personally. LAs have to have spent all of last financial years budget by the end of April otherwise their lack of spending triggers a larger cut. If they can spend it all, or even overspend, their budgets are not reduced so much. Plus, if they have the barrister on an annual contract, that will be due to run out and they may want to be getting their money worth.

Adri is your dc ASD? If so, call NAS line urgently and you might get a solicitor rep.

Remember that parents win 80+% of tribunals,

Who is the barrister?

Don't panic, just remember facts are facts. I had a evil la rep. But at the end of the day all he had was hot air to fight me with ( oh and his total incompetence) I didn't go well for him on the day.

have you tried Ipsea. I had somebody who was going to go with/represend me (but in the end LA gave in so no hearing)

The LA had a barrister against us at tribunal and he spouted a huge amount of crap. He took it upon himself to rubbish our offer of transport without knowing anything about us and in the end it backfired on him. He was truly unimpressive despite having an apparently amazing reputation if you read about him online. He was so completely into the idea of trying to win at all costs that he didn't seem to notice that there was a child involved in all of this and I think the panel took a dim view of his approach. We won our tribunal with transport.