Education Act 1996

336Tribunal procedure

(1)Regulations may make provision about the proceedings of the Tribunal on an appeal under this Part and the initiation of such an appeal.

(2)The regulations may, in particular, include provision—

(a)as to the period within which, and the manner in which, appeals are to be instituted,

(b)where the jurisdiction of the Tribunal is being exercised by more than one tribunal—

(i)for determining by which tribunal any appeal is to be heard, and

(ii)for the transfer of proceedings from one tribunal to another,

(c)for enabling any functions which relate to matters preliminary or incidental to an appeal to be performed by the President, or by the chairman,

(d)for the holding of hearings in private in prescribed circumstances,

(e)for hearings to be conducted in the absence of any member other than the chairman,

(f)as to the persons who may appear on behalf of the parties,

(g)for granting any person such discovery or inspection of documents or right to further particulars as might be granted by a county court,

(h)requiring persons to attend to give evidence and produce documents,

(i)for authorising the administration of oaths to witnesses,

(j)for the determination of appeals without a hearing in prescribed circumstances,

(k)as to the withdrawal of appeals,

(l)for the award of costs or expenses,

(m)for taxing or otherwise settling any such costs or expenses (and, in particular, for enabling such costs to be taxed in the county court),

(n)for the registration and proof of decisions and orders, and

(o)for enabling the Tribunal to review its decisions, or revoke or vary its orders, in such circumstances as may be determined in accordance with the regulations.

(3)The Secretary of State may pay such allowances for the purpose of or in connection with the attendance of persons at the Tribunal as he may, with the consent of the Treasury, determine.

(4)Part I of the [1996 c. 23.] Arbitration Act 1996 shall not apply to any proceedings before the Tribunal but regulations may make provision corresponding to any provision of that Act.

(5)Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with—

(a)any requirement in respect of the discovery or inspection of documents imposed by the regulations by virtue of subsection (2)(g), or

(b)any requirement imposed by the regulations by virtue of subsection (2)(h),

is guilty of an offence.

(6)A person guilty of an offence under subsection (5) is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 3 on the standard scale.