I am writing to request information regarding the legal costs incurred by your authority in relation to SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) tribunals. I would like to know:

1. The number of SEND appeals lodged against the council in each of the financial years 2018/19, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25.
EHC Mediation, Tribunal
2022/23: 14, 8
2023/24: 124, 58
2024/25: 104, 38

2. The number of SEND appeals that proceeded to a full tribunal hearing in each of the financial years 2018/19, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25.
The report does not provide this data set. We would need to create this information to be able to answer so not covered by FOI.

3. Of those appeals, in the financial years 2018/19, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25, how many were upheld, partially upheld or dismissed?
The report does not provide this data set. We would need to create this information to be able to answer so not covered by FOI.

4. What was the total amount spent on legal fees for SEND tribunal cases for each of the financial years 2018/19, 2022/23, 2023/24, 2024/25? Please include all associated costs, such as external legal counsel, getting expert witnesses and administrative expenses.
2021/22: 24, £98,414
2022/23: 40, £94,170
2023/24: 99, £229,242