These rules and procedures were agreed at the initial meeting of the Court in January 1991 and were revised in January 1992 and October 1993. They are included here for information and interest: the Bully Court was disbanded when a new Head Teacher was appointed in 1997.

1 Membership

The Court consists of

• The Members, one pupil elected by each class. (Each class also elects a Deputy Member who takes the Member's place if s/he is unable to attend a sitting of the Court).
• The Chair (a Form Representative agreed by the other members), who presides over the sitting of the Court.
• The Clerk (a Form Representative agreed by the other members), who keeps a record of the business of the Court.

2 How cases are brought

Pupils who feel they have been bullied may bring their cases to the attention of the Court

• by filling in a Bully Box form;
• by telling their form representative who then discusses the case with the Chair of the Court;
• by telling any member of staff (teaching or non-teaching) who then discusses the case with the Chair of the Court.

3 Pre-hearing procedures

The person accused of bullying (the Defendant) is informed of the accusation and the date on which the case will be heard. At least two days' notice is given.

The Head Teacher writes to the parents/guardians of the Complainant and Defendant informing them of the date of the hearing.

4 The hearing

The Chair, Clerk, and other Members of the Court are present while the Court is sitting. The Head Teacher or Deputy Head may be invited to attend as observer and, where requested, as advisor.

The person who brought the case (the Complainant) is first asked to describe the incident(s) of bullying and can be questioned by Members of the Court. A Complainant may have his/her case presented by a friend if s/he wishes. (There may, of course, be more than one Complainant and more than one Defendant).

The Defendant is then asked to give his/her account of the alleged incident(s) and can be questioned by Members of the Court. The Defendant may have his/her case presented by a friend if s/he wishes.

The witnesses are not present at this stage.

A maximum of two witnesses named by the Complainant, followed by a maximum of two witnesses named by the Defendant, may then be questioned by the Court and remain in the Court Room once they have given their evidence.

When Members have asked all the questions they want to ask, all leave the room while the Members of the Court discuss the case and decide, first, whether bullying has taken place and, second, whether the Defendant is guilty of that bullying. At least ten of the twelve Members must agree for a verdict to be agreed.

If the Members decide that the Defendant is guilty, they then discuss what the Defendant should do to make amends, or what the appropriate punishment should be. They recommend this to the Head Teacher or Deputy Head.

The Complainant, Defendant and witnesses are informed of the decision of the Court. The Head/Deputy informs the parents/guardians of the Defendant of the outcome.

5 Other points

• if a Member of the Court is bullied, his/her Deputy will sit on the case;
• if a Member of the Court is found guilty of bullying, s/he will be dismissed from the Court and his/her Deputy will fill the place until fresh elections are held;
• a Defendant who refuses to appear before the Court will be dealt with by the Head Teacher - this will almost certainly be regarded as an admission of guilt;
• any Complainant, witness or Member of the Court who is threatened by a Defendant should inform the Head Teacher. Such behaviour will be considered as part of the case and will be regarded very seriously;
• if a Member of the Court is a close friend of a Complainant and/or Defendant and feels that this would make sitting on the case difficult, s/he should inform the Chair. Generally, his/her Deputy will sit instead;
• hearings of the Court are confidential and may not, therefore, be discussed outside the Court by Members;
• a debriefing meeting of all members of the Court (including deputies) will be held after each case;
• the Complainant, Defendant and witnesses are informed of the decision of the Court. The Head/Deputy informs the parents/guardians of the Defendant of the outcome.