The Chief Schools Adjudicator - Dr Elizabeth Passmore OBE
Dr Passmore is supported by a small team of adjudicators who work independently in considering cases assigned to them.
She is responsible for allocating cases to adjudicators and may, on occasion, set up a panel to jointly consider a case - or set of cases. The panel would be made up of two or more adjudicators.
Adjudicators cannot take cases in local authorities where they have worked during the last 10 years, or where they live. Neither will adjudicators usually accept cases in areas where they have previously worked with individuals involved in a case - or for any other reason - where they feel their objectivity might be compromised, or be perceived to be compromised.
At the start of a case, those involved have the opportunity to raise an objection to the adjudicator assigned to their case - if they have good reason to do so. Such objections are considered very carefully by the Chief Adjudicator and the adjudicators concerned.