tribunal legal costs - can i use the legal thing we have with home insurance??

[meerkatsandkookaburras]

before i ring and ask them (and get someone on the phone who has no idea what i am on about) does anyone know if i could get legal help using the legal thingy i pay extra for on my home insurance or is that not likely?! or can you get legal aid for it?

thanks

Sorry, I think it is unlikely. This is because it is a fair and straighforward system, designed for parents to be able to navigate themselves.

There is 'some' entitlement to legal aid however, but if there is any chance you have £70k (and this includes the value of your house) then it is unlikely you will get it. Also, Lawyers don't like to apply for it, because whilst it is there, it only pays for about half their usual hourly rate, plus they have to fill in forms every £2k they spend.

However, ring SOS SEN if you think you might be in the tiny minority who could get it as they know the more human law firms that might go to the bother.

hth

Sorry, also need to add, even if you get it it won't cover representation at tribunal.

IPSEA will sometimes provide free representation.

There is a great article on the difference between legal help/legal aid within an education context here:

educationadvocacy.co.uk/pages/freelegal.html

You shoudl always check your insurance polices as education might be covered. Simualary if you have medical insurance they might cover the costs of private reports.