Resolving Disputes about Educational Provision: A Comparative Perspective on Special Educational Needs

With contributions by recognised experts in the field of education law, this book is a comparative study of the resolution of special education disputes, including via mediation. It analyses the varying approaches in England, Scotland, the US and the Netherlands and addresses major questions of dispute resolution, redress, judicial and non-judicial approaches and the protection of citizens' rights. The first review of mediation in citizen v. state disputes outside the context of the courts, this topical book also incorporates findings from a recent ESRC study into dispute resolution in special educational needs cases. It will not only be of interest to those concerned with education issues but also those interested in administrative justice, especially the role of mediation generally

Neville Harris is Professor of Law, University of Manchester. He is Editor of the Journal of Social Security Law, and Education Law Journal. He is a member of the editorial boards of various journals including Education, Citizenship and Social Justice; Education and the Law; and International Journal of the Legal Profession. His research has included projects funded by the ESRC, Nuffield Foundation (three projects), the National Consumer Council, the Department for Education and Employment, the Law Society, Eversheds and others. He is a member of the European Association for Education Law and Policy (ELA), the Socio-Legal Studies Association and the Society of Legal Scholars. Sheila Riddell is Director of the Centre for Research in Education Inclusion and Diversity at the Moray House School of Education, University of Edinburgh. She previously worked as Director of the Strathclyde Centre for Disability Research, University of Glasgow. Her research interests are in the broad field of equality and social inclusion, with particular reference to gender, social class and disability in the fields of education, training, employment and social care. Sheila is currently working on projects investigating the experiences and outcomes of disabled students in higher education, lifelong learning policy across Europe and the development of literacies in SMEs.