CHALLENGING DECISIONS AND APPEAL TRIBUNALS  

Appeals to the Upper Tribunal

GDUT0112      6 September 2012        Glasgow

This course is essential for any experienced adviser who wants to challenge decisions of the First-tier Tribunal effectively, or for anyone who needs an update on the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber). Some experience of representing at the First-tier Tribunal is essential.

The course includes:

• When an appeal can be made to the Upper Tribunal
• Exploring other routes of dispute
• How to look for errors of law in the First-tier Tribunal decision
• Format of an application or appeal to the Upper Tribunal
• Procedures from First-tier to Upper Tribunal
• Preparing submissions to the Upper Tribunal
• Hearings before the Upper Tribunal

“Feel more confident now, particularly about identifying errors in law”

Level Experienced
Tutor Steven Craig
Time 10am - 4pm
SNS 3.4
CPD 5 hours

CPAG Publication

Welfare Rights Bulletin

Representing at the First-tier Tribunal

GDAT0112      7 – 8 June 2012           Glasgow
GDAT0212      15 – 16 November 2012           Glasgow

This popular two-day course gives a basic grounding in representing clients at the First-tier Tribunal. Through mock tribunals, participants gain experience in a safe environment where there is nothing to lose.

The course includes:

• Making an appeal
• Tribunal procedure
• Case preparation – getting evidence, finding the facts and applying the law
• The role of the chair
• Rules of evidence
• Basic advocacy and presentational skills

This course is aimed at advisers with a working knowledge of benefits and little or no experience of representing at appeal tribunals.

"Mock tribunals gave a real flavour of what to expect"
“Inspires confidence in actually doing an appeal”

Level Standard
Tutors Simon Osborne, Judith Paterson, Steven Craig
Time 10am - 4pm
SNS 3.1 and 3.4
CPD 10 hours

CPAG Publication

Welfare Rights Bulletin

Tribunal representation – practice and tactics half day

GDTP0311      13 March 2012       Glasgow NEW DATE
GDTP0112      6 December 2012       Glasgow

With appeal work continuing to dominate advice agency case loads, tribunal reps may need support to maximise their efficiency and effectiveness. This practical half-day course aims to offer participants insights into effective approaches to tribunal representation, through discussion and sharing skills and experience.

Among the issues considered are:

• What can representation achieve?
• Preparation – the papers, your client, further evidence
• Writing submissions – structure and content, different approaches
• Questioning of the appellant and witnesses
• Making best use of time at the hearing
• Tackling unfavourable evidence approach them

“The most relevant training I have had”

This course is aimed at those with experience of representing at the First-tier Tribunal who wish to develop and improve their skills and confidence. Those with little or no experience should book instead on Representing at the First-tier Tribunal.

Level Experienced
Tutor Steven Craig
Time 1pm - 4pm
SNS 3.1 and 3.4
CPD 3 hours

CPAG Publication

Welfare Rights Bulletin

Using evidence effectively half day

GDUE0111       15 March 2012        Glasgow half- day
GDUE0112       14 March 2013        Glasgow half- day

Many appeals are won because more and better evidence is produced. To do this effectively, advisers need to know how to get the best evidence and how to analyse the claimant’s and the decision maker’s evidence. This practical course aims to familiarise participants with getting and using evidence.

In includes:

• What we mean by evidence
• How to get it
• How to use it
• Evidence at tribunals – the rules
• Interpreting and weighing evidence

Level Standard
Tutor Jane Smith
Time 1pm - 4pm
SNS 3.4
CPD 3 hours

CPAG Publication

Welfare Rights Bulletin

Using legislation and caselaw

GDYF0111       1 March 2012       Glasgow
GDYF0112       28 February 2013       Glasgow

Advisers regularly deal with complex areas of social security and tax credits law. This one-day course explores some of the legal skills required by lay advisers, gives information on different aspects of the legal system, and aims to provide participants with:

• Some legal research skills – finding the law and legal precedents
• Using legislation – Acts, regulations and caselaw
• Using the annotated guides – Social Security Legislation (Sweet and Maxwell)
• Interpreting legislation
• Information on using the internet for legal research

Level Standard
Tutor Giles Charter
Time 10am - 4pm
SNS 1.4
CPD 5 hours

CPAG Publication

Welfare Rights Bulletin

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