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First Tier Tribunals

How to prepare and present your case

Housing Benefit accounts for some £20 billion annually, and is more complex and confusing now than it has ever been. Increasingly claimants and their representatives are seeking to pursue their grievances before the relatively new First-tier tribunals.

Council representatives as well as preparing case submissions and collating relevant documentation (Claim forms, income/capital validation, DWP documentation, statements, determinations & notifications, letters from 'persons affected' appeals etc) will increasingly be expected to meet higher advocacy demands, directions, and tight timescales, placed upon them by the Tribunal Service and appointed Judges.

The tutor will examine, and illustrate with the use of case examples, and group exercises, a number of the key areas of HB administration where appeals are likely to occur. Delegates will be expected to examine mock HB cases and participate in group discussions aimed at developing a greater understanding of importance of key HB regulations, DWP guidance etc. Delegates may also be expected to participate in mock hearings to help develop their presentation and advocacy skills

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course you will better understand where to look for the relevant Primary & Secondary Legislation and HB Guidance relating to:

How First-tier tribunals operate and the importance of the Judge in proceedings;
The rights and obligations of 'appellants' 'their representatives' and 'respondents' to ensure the overriding objectives of 'justice and fairness' and 'friend of the court' principles are complied with;
Case management; handling postponements, adjournments, acceptance of late evidence;
Areas most likely to cause disputes and appeals?
Mock case studies � analysing the facts, associated regulations, caselaw, documentation
How to present your case and respond to claimants/representatives and the Judge

Who should attend?

Housing Benefit Officers, council solicitors, and paralegals involved in preparing and presenting cases before First-tier tribunals and cae mangement liaison with the Tribunal Service.

How to Book

We are currently running this event in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Housing.

To book onto one of the already arranged events, please see the course page on their website.

Alternatively, if you would prefer a private showing of this even, please contact us.