SEND Tribunal Bundle: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents (2026/27)
Comprehensive guide to SEND tribunal bundles for parents. Covers page limits under the 2025 Practice Direction, what documents to include, filing deadlines, format requirements, and where to get free help with your appeal.
Quick Answer
A SEND tribunal bundle is the collection of documents used at a hearing before the First-tier Tribunal (SEND). The Local Authority prepares the bundle under Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025 paragraph 20, but parents must submit evidence on time and check the final bundle. The PD imposes per-party page limits (75-100 pages depending on appeal type, plus a 100-page core bundle and 150 pages for the EHC Plan and Section K). Electronic PDF with OCR and bookmarks is required.
What Is a SEND Tribunal?
The First-tier Tribunal (SEND) is part of the Health, Education and Social Care Chamber. It hears appeals from parents and young people who disagree with Local Authority decisions about Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plans.
You can appeal if the Local Authority has:
- Refused to carry out an EHC needs assessment
- Refused to issue an EHC Plan after assessment
- Made decisions about the content of Sections B, F, or I of an EHC Plan
- Decided to cease to maintain an EHC Plan
- Not carried out a reassessment when requested
In 2024/25 HMCTS registered 25,000 SEN appeals, 18% more than the year before; 71% of outcomes were decided by the tribunal and 99% of decided cases were in favour of the appellant — meaning the appellant won the majority of the appeal (Tribunal Statistics Quarterly, July–September 2025, published 11 December 2025).
These statistics tell you something important: if your evidence supports your case and it reaches a final hearing, the tribunal listens.
What Documents Go in a SEND Tribunal Bundle?
The Local Authority prepares the bundle, but it must contain evidence from both parties. The bundle is governed by Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025, which came into effect for hearings listed after 15 July 2025.
Documents That Must Be Included
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Tribunal documents | Appeal form, LA decision letters, tribunal orders, case directions |
| The EHC Plan | Current EHC Plan and all Section K appendices |
| Assessments | Educational psychology reports, speech and language assessments, occupational therapy reports |
| Educational records | School reports, progress data, attendance records |
| Health and social care | Medical reports, therapy records, social care assessments |
| Expert reports | Independent assessments commissioned by either party |
| Witness statements | From parents, teachers, therapists, or other professionals |
| Working document | The annotated EHC Plan showing agreed and disputed sections |
| Correspondence | Correspondence only where relevant to a specific issue (PD No. 1 of 2025 para 38) |
| Case Review Form | Must be the final document in the bundle |
Documents to Exclude
- Duplicate documents
- Blank pages
- Documents already in Section K (unless specifically relevant beyond that context)
- Professional reports over three years old (unless in Section K or tribunal-directed)
- Draft or unapproved EHC Plan versions
- Irrelevant email chains
Page Limits: The 2025 Practice Direction
The Practice Direction introduced enforced page limits. These limits are per party and vary by appeal type.
Evidence Page Limits by Appeal Type
| Appeal Type | Per-Party Page Limit |
|---|---|
| Refusal to assess or reassess | 75 pages |
| Refusal to issue an EHC Plan | 100 pages |
| Sections B and F (needs and provision) | 100 pages |
| Section I (placement or naming) | 75 pages |
| Combined appeals (e.g., Sections B, F, and I together) | Limits are cumulative: 100 pages for B and F plus 75 pages for I, so 175 pages each party in this example |
| Cease to maintain | 75 pages (plus the relevant section limits if you also appeal sections of the Plan) |
| Health or social care recommendation (extended appeal) | 75 pages |
| Annual Review decision | The page limits applicable to whichever sections of the Plan are under appeal |
Additional Document Limits
| Document Type | Page Limit |
|---|---|
| Part One — Core Tribunal Bundle | 100 pages |
| Part Two — EHC Plan and Section K appendices | 150 pages |
| Expert reports | 15 A4 pages including the 2-page executive summary |
| Witness statements | 10 A4 pages excluding exhibits |
| Working document | 25 A4 pages |
Format Requirements
- Minimum 12-point font, preferably Arial (Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025, paragraph 30)
- Sequential pagination across the whole bundle from page 1; sections must not be individually paginated (paragraph 37)
- Expert reports and witness statements must be divided into numbered paragraphs
- Expert reports must include the 2-page executive summary at the front, must not exceed 15 A4 pages including the summary, and must not be more than 3 years old at the date the appeal is made
- Witness statements must be signed and dated copies of the original
- All bundles must be in PDF format with OCR (paragraph 28), default view 100% (paragraph 29), and bookmarked for navigation (paragraph 33)
Exceeding the Limits
If you need more pages, you must apply using the Request for Change (SEND7) form with a clear justification for why additional pages are necessary. Do not simply exceed the limit — the tribunal may refuse to consider evidence beyond it.
Key Deadlines and Timeline
Before You Appeal
- Mediation: Before appealing you must obtain a mediation certificate (Children and Families Act 2014 s.55(3)), except where the appeal is only about the school or type of school named, or the fact that no school is named (s.55(2)).
- Registration deadline: 2 months from the date on the LA's decision letter, or 1 month from the date the mediation certificate is issued, if later (HESC Rules r.20(1)(c))
After Registration
| Stage | Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Acknowledgement, LA response and further evidence | Set by the Tribunal's case directions |
| Bundle delivered to all parties | Set by case directions |
| Final working document to tribunal | Set by case directions |
| Hearing date | Varies — often several months after registration, depending on tribunal availability |
| LA issues draft EHC Plan (if successful) | Within 5 weeks of the order, where the Tribunal orders the LA to make and maintain a plan (SEND Regulations 2014 reg 44(2)(c)) |
What Happens If Deadlines Are Missed
- If the LA misses the bundle deadline, it may be automatically barred from further participation
- The LA's response may be struck out
- If parents need to submit late evidence, they must apply via the Request for Change form
- Applications within 5 working days of the hearing are returned — parents must explain delays at the hearing itself
How to Prepare Your Evidence
Quality Over Quantity
Under the new page limits, selecting the right evidence matters more than including everything. Focus on documents that directly address the issues in dispute.
Prioritise:
- Independent expert reports (educational psychologist, speech and language therapist, occupational therapist)
- Documents that contradict the LA's position
- Evidence showing the child's needs are not being met under current provision
- Progress data demonstrating lack of improvement
Independent Expert Reports
Independent reports carry significant weight with the tribunal.
These reports must comply with the 15-page limit and include a 2-page executive summary.
The Working Document
The working document is an annotated version of the EHC Plan showing which sections are agreed and which are disputed. It is a critical document that helps the tribunal panel understand exactly what is at issue. It has a 25-page limit.
How SEND Bundles Differ from Family Court Bundles
If you have experience with family court proceedings, be aware that SEND tribunal bundles follow completely different rules. Practice Direction 27A does not apply.
| Feature | SEND Tribunal | Family Court (PD27A) |
|---|---|---|
| Governing rules | Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025 | Practice Direction 27A |
| Who prepares it | Local Authority | Applicant; or the represented respondent if the applicant is unrepresented (PD27A paras 4.5–4.6) |
| Per-party evidence page limits | 75–100 pages (varies by appeal type), plus a 100-page core bundle and 150 pages for the EHC Plan and Section K appendices | No per-party allowance; PD27A imposes a single 350-page whole-bundle cap unless the court directs otherwise |
| Expert report limit | 15 A4 pages including a 2-page executive summary | 40 pages including a 4-page executive summary (PD27A para 8.1) |
| Filing deadline | Set by case directions | 5 working days before the hearing (PD27A para 13.2) |
| Costs | Generally no costs orders | Costs orders possible |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It Matters | What to Do Instead |
|---|---|---|
| Submitting everything without curation | The panel cannot find your strongest evidence | Select documents that directly address the disputed issues |
| Not creating your own personal index | You cannot quickly find key evidence during the hearing | Create a cross-referenced index noting page numbers of critical points |
| Relying solely on LA assessments | LA assessments may understate your child's needs | Commission independent expert reports where possible |
| Missing evidence deadlines | Late evidence may not be accepted | Set calendar reminders well before each deadline |
| Not checking the LA's bundle | Your submitted documents may be omitted or scanned poorly | Review every page of the bundle when you receive it |
| Submitting reports over three years old | The tribunal may exclude them without permission | Apply via SEND7 form if older reports are genuinely relevant |
| Exceeding page limits without permission | Evidence beyond the limit may not be considered | Apply for an extension before submitting |
Format and Technical Requirements
SEND tribunal bundles must be electronic PDFs. The technical requirements are:
| Requirement | Specification |
|---|---|
| Format | PDF with OCR (text must be searchable) |
| Pagination | Sequential from page 1 throughout; sections not separately paginated (para 37) |
| Bookmarks | Required for navigation |
| Index | Page number; author and position; type of document; date (PD para 34) |
| Font | 12-point minimum (Arial preferred) |
| Orientation | Documents orientated so they can be read on screen without rotating (para 31) |
| File naming | Must include appeal number, child's name, and hearing date |
| Submission method | HMCTS Document Upload Centre (the LA sends the bundle; the appellant is copied in, paras 50–51) |
Remember that you are not preparing the tribunal bundle itself — the Local Authority does that. What you are preparing is the evidence pack you send to the LA, and the personal hearing copy you take into the room with you. BundleCreator handles both. Upload your documents, arrange them in the right order, and the software generates a properly formatted PDF with sequential pagination, hyperlinked four-column index, bookmarks, OCR text recognition, and compression — all within the per-party page limit for your appeal type. You can use BundleCreator to keep an annotated personal copy with the bookmarks and notes you need to navigate the documents on the day.
Where to Get Help
Free Support Services
| Organisation | What They Offer |
|---|---|
| IPSEA | Tribunal helpline, trained volunteer caseworkers, step-by-step appeal guides |
| SOS!SEN | Free independent advice on SEND law, tribunal representation in some cases |
| SENDIASS | Every Local Authority has one by law; free, impartial advice and support |
| Contact | General SEND advice and signposting for families with disabled children |
Legal Aid
Legal Help may cover some preparation work — such as advice on the merits of your appeal and help gathering evidence — but does not cover representation at the hearing itself. Eligibility is means-tested. Contact Civil Legal Advice on 0345 345 4345 to check whether you qualify.
Exceptional Case Funding may be available where refusing legal aid would breach your human rights (LASPO 2012 s.10(3)).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who prepares the SEND tribunal bundle?
The Local Authority is responsible for preparing the bundle. However, parents must submit their own evidence on time and check the final bundle carefully to ensure nothing has been omitted or scanned poorly.
What is the page limit for a SEND tribunal bundle?
It depends on the type of appeal. Per-party evidence limits range from 75 pages (refusal to assess, Section I, cease to maintain) to 100 pages (refusal to issue, Sections B and F). The EHC Plan and Section K appendices have a separate 150-page limit.
How far before the hearing must the bundle be delivered?
The deadline is set in your case directions. Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025 itself does not specify a fixed number of working days — paragraph 50 simply requires the LA to send the bundle to HMCTS "by the Tribunal Bundle deadline". If the LA fails to meet the deadline, paragraph 19 of the Practice Direction provides that the LA may be automatically barred from further participation in the proceedings.
Can I add documents after the bundle deadline?
You must apply via the Request for Change (SEND7) form. Applications within 5 working days of the hearing are returned, and you would need to explain the delay at the hearing itself.
Do I need a solicitor for a SEND tribunal?
Many parents represent themselves.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. SEND tribunal procedures, page limits, and Practice Directions are subject to change. You should always refer to the current Practice Direction and your own case directions for the requirements applicable to your appeal. The page limits and deadlines stated above reflect the Practice Direction as understood at the date of publication and may have been amended since. If you are unsure how the rules apply to your case, seek advice from IPSEA, your local SENDIASS, or a qualified education law solicitor.
Further Reading
- IPSEA: Evidence and the Bundle — Step-by-step guidance from IPSEA
- Practice Direction No. 1 of 2025 — The official bundle rules
- GOV.UK: Preparing a SEND Tribunal Case — Government guidance for Local Authorities
- How to Create a PD27A-Aligned Court Bundle — For family court bundles (different rules apply)
- UK Court Bundle Compliance Guide (2025-2026) — Cross-jurisdictional compliance reference
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About the Author
BundleCreator Legal Tech Team
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BundleCreator combines expertise in family law procedure, court technology, and legal document management.
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Court bundle preparation • Practice Direction 27A compliance • Electronic document management • Family court procedures