Tribunal Help

I have used the B&W advice on completing the application forms for DLA and was turned down. I have now applied for an oral tribunal, again using the B&W advice.

I have today contacted the CAB (2hours for 10 minute first interview). I was told that a meeting will be arranged in the next week or so to go through the DWP bundle, BUT that CAB might not be able to represent me at the Tribunal itself.

Knowing the stats, I am getting a bit twitchy about not being represented. I suffer with anxiety and the thought of speaking in front of the tribunal makes me "wobbly". I will do it if I have to but would appreciate any advice from the experts on this site.

For representation at an appeal tribunal, you could ask a local Mind if they have an advocate who could represent you because of your anxiety state?

Most local Mind associations have advocates who deal with benefit problems on behalf of clients/service users, including representation at a tribunal, so it may be worth contacting the organisation in the first instance? If however they cannot represent you, they may be able to put you in touch with somebody who can, but if not you could try and seek assistance from Community Legal Advice.

OK, so people that are represented tend to do a lot better than people that aren't, but you don't have to be a statistic, you are an individual, so don't assume it will go badly.

The tribunal will be a lot less formal than, say, the sort of court hearing you see on television like a criminal trial. It's not a case of a judge sitting on a big seat towering over you. The seating arrangement will be less daunting and the format of the hearing less rigid.

You're not expected to be a great public speaker or great advocate, just an ordinary person making an appeal.

If you like, you can take a friend or relative with you to keep you company and the tribunal may let them help you to put your case.

So read our guides and please try not to panic too much. Lots of our members have been to a tribunal by themselves and succeeded.

Meanwhile, do take a look around to see if there's anyone else that could represent you. In lots of places, there are organisations other than the CAB that can help.

Crazy Diamond,
Thanks for the advice. It never occurred to me to try MIND. I will give them a go.

Pete

Survivor,
Thanks for the reply. Wow, you are good for my ego and morale.

You are absolutely right in what you say. I am not that frightened about the tribunal just what I may say through lack of training.

Pete