Rulebook · Time limit

Last day to appeal to the SEND Tribunal

An appeal is in time if it reaches the Tribunal by 5pm on this day. Except for appeals only about the school or college named, you must first contact a mediation adviser and get a certificate. Where a certificate is needed, the last day is 1 month after it is issued, if that is later.

How it is counted

2 months after the day the decision notice was sent (the same date 2 months later, or the last day of a shorter month), or 1 month after the day the mediation certificate was issued (the same date the next month, or the last day of a shorter month), whichever is later. If the last day falls between 25 December and 1 January or in August, it moves to the first working day after 1 January or 31 August; on any other day that is not a working day, to the next working day. It must arrive by 5pm.

Whose date it is

You (the parent or young person)

What starts it

The council sent written notice of a decision that can be appealed

What stops it, with nothing more due

The council received the appeal from the SEND Tribunal. Only an appeal about the decision this time limit follows ends it. An appeal about a different decision does not.

Time of day

By 5pm on the last day

Type of rule

Law (Act or Regulations)

Rule id

appeal_deadline

Rules version

england-2026.10

Law as at

30 September 2026

After the last day

The Tribunal can sometimes accept a late appeal, but it decides, and it is not guaranteed. Ask the Tribunal or an adviser (IPSEA or your local SENDIASS) straight away.

Sources

• Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (HESC Chamber) Rules 2008, r 20(1)(c)Law (Act or Regulations)
• Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (HESC Chamber) Rules 2008, r 12Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 51Law (Act or Regulations)
• Children and Families Act 2014, s 55Law (Act or Regulations)

Work out your dates

The whole rulebook