The Association of the Special Educational Needs Tribunal
ASENT is an association of members of the Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal – membership is open to anyone who is a specialist member or tribunal judge within SEND. Current membership stands at 221. There is a small voluntary committee who meet regularly online, currently monthly, and a virtual AGM is held annually.
The objectives of the association are met through a range of activities including:
- an online members forum on ejudiciary where members can share ideas and
information, raise issues of concern or interest, and where the committee can
seek ideas and opinions of members on specific matters. - responding to selected MOJ or other consultations on behalf of the membership,
following an opportunity to canvass members’ opinions. - representatives of the committee meeting at least 4 times a year with the Judicial
Lead for SEND and the Deputy Chamber President to mutually share information
and to raise and discuss issues of concern and/or importance. - raising urgent matters with management as they arise, on behalf of members, as
and when the committee is informed. - having representation from individual members of the committee at the Tribunals
Forum and the Non-legal members working group, alongside representatives of
member organisations from tribunals in other chambers. - encouraging and welcoming member participation and support
- encouraging good practice in SEND
Recent Committee Activity
- Revision of the 2025 ASENT constitution
- Response to the Working Practice Consultation.
- Clarification of the working practice for claiming cancellation compensation and input
- into the Ministry of Justice FAQs document regarding the February 2025 policy.
- Establishment of the process to change members Tribunal email address
- Discussion with the Tribunal leadership team of issues raised by ASENT members.
We look forward to hearing from you and welcoming you as a member of ASENT. Please use the contact form to get in touch with us
The current committee is Alex Wilson (Chair) , Jon Barr (Secretary). Nasreen Hussain (Treasurer), Alistair Bates, Sarah Kinsella, Pam Varley, Alison Hall, Nikki Joyce, Fred Motson.
November 2025