Remote appeal hearings

All admissions appeal hearings will continue to be conducted remotely either:

  • by phone
  • by video conference
  • on the basis of written submissions only

The clerk will contact you, as well as the panel members and the admission authority in advance of the hearing, either by email or phone. This is to confirm your preference for your appeal hearing to ensure the hearing is conducted fairly and transparently.

If the appeal panel does not consider the appeal hearing can be conducted remotely they'll make their decision based on the parties’ written submissions. For example, where a party to the hearing has confirmed that they are unable to participate in a remote hearing,

The clerk will provide all parties with:

  • notice of the hearing date
  • the proposed way of hearing the appeal
  • deadlines by which written submissions and evidence must be provided so that the papers can be sent out allowing a reasonable time to consider them

How the remote hearing will work

You’ll be asked in advance of the hearing, either by email or phone to identify whether you’d like your remote hearing to be a video link, telephone conference or written submission. Remote appeal hearings will be conducted using Microsoft Teams. Guidance as to how to participate using this platform will be shared with all parties by email before the appeal hearing.

The appeal hearing remains private and no parties will be permitted to record the proceedings. However you'll still be entitled to be represented or accompanied by a friend at the hearing via video or telephone conference or through written submissions. The appeal panel will also need to consider any requests for reasonable adjustments to be made. For example, the need for an interpreter to be present.

The appeal hearing will last around 20 to 30 minutes but you'll be allowed as much time as possible for you to present your case to the panel.

Following the conclusion of the remote hearing, the panel will consider their decision in private, with the clerk present.

Equipment for remote hearings

You can join the hearing by telephone or video link. To join by telephone, you’ll need a landline or mobile phone. To join the hearing by video you can use Microsoft Teams. This is available on any computer with a camera and microphone and most mobile devices. Guidance will be sent to all parties before the appeal hearing.

Video conference hearing

If you're using a mobile device such as a smart phone or tablet, it would be helpful if you download the Microsoft Teams app well in advance of the meeting. The app is available in the app store on Android or Apple devices. Alternatively you can use a PC equipped with a camera and microphone.

You do not need to have a Microsoft account. You can download the Microsoft Teams application if you wish, but it is not necessary to do so as you can join the meeting via your browser.

You'll receive an invitation to join the Microsoft Teams meeting via the email address that you've provided at, or around, the scheduled start time of your appeal. You should continue to check your inbox for this email and also check that it has not been automatically sent to your junk or spam folder.

Phone conference hearing

You'll have received a date and time for your remote hearing to be heard. Around 5 to 10 minutes before the start of your hearing, find a quiet space with as little background noise as possible. You’ll receive an automated phone call inviting you to join the meeting.

Hearing times

The Independent Appeal Panel (IAP) will be considering a number of appeals on the same day as yours and it's not always possible to keep to the exact timeslots provided. Appeal hearings may be longer or shorter than planned so we may contact you slightly earlier or later than the time of your hearing. Please do not contact us unless you have not received your joining email or automated phone call within 20 minutes of the start time of your hearing.

Technical failure

If at any time during the remote hearing you lose connection, end the phone call or video conference. The clerk will attempt to contact you again for your remote hearing to resume. Where this is not possible, this would usually result in the remote hearing being rescheduled. However, if it's not possible to do so, the appeal panel will retain the right to determine the appeal on the basis of the written information submitted before the appeal.