Conversion Process Appeals..is it lawful ?

nixart

I'm not aware of anyone on B&W or RightsNet where the suggestion originally came from, that have successfully argued this at appeal.

I need to urge caution with regard to your helping your friend at their appeal.

Whilst it is perfectly reasonable to have someone represent you at appeal, the Tribunal may make assumptions if you are seen as Representing the claimant.

1. You may be allowed to answer on behalf of the claimant if there is good reason why they cannot do so for themselves, but if this is not the case it is more likely that the panel will want to hear the claimants own words.

The Doctor is a member of the Tribunal panel, not the ATOS "doctor" who carried out the medical.

2. Yes you can, but these should be submitted to the Tribunal at least two weeks before the hearing to ensure that they are included. Whilst it is possible to introduce new written evidence on the day of the hearing, Tribunals on the whole, prefer for this not to happen.

3. It is reasonable to question why the DWP did not contact the GP for additional evidence, however, this presumes that their doing so would have had a significant impact on the decision. If you are not presenting such evidence at the Tribunal, if may be difficult to convince the panel that this was the case.

Gordon

nixart

You just need to make sure that you are not seen as a trained Welfare Rights officer.

Gordon