Tribunal & Legal Challenges - Flawed PIP Assessment

Hi

I have my tribunal hearing this Friday and it's in person

I believe that I can make points about the appeal so I'm just writing notes to help me with this. These points aren't in my appeal/submissions document as I didn't know about them when I sent those documents in to the Tribunal.

The main point I want to make is about moving around being outside the house, as Gordon referred to above.

From the PIP Assessment Guide Part 2
Activity 12 – Moving around
"This activity should be judged in relation to a type of surface normally expected out of doors, such as pavements on the flat and includes the consideration of kerbs."

My conditions mean I don't go outside for the majority of each month, as I'm either in too much pain to walk or physically/mentally exhausted from the illness. I have said this consistently. The DWP decided I could stand and walk for 50 metres. Yet if I don't go outside, then surely I can say I don't believe any steps I take inside the house should count, and therefore my assertion of not being able to move more than 20 metres should qualify for the 12 points as requested?

Is this the way I should say this to the Tribunal? And should I say this at the beginning or end? I would prefer to say it at the start so time isn't wasted going over it at the end if the Tribunal aren't expecting me to say it.

Thanks in advance for any help and if there are any other tips, please feel free to share.

Thank you.

You're right, I'm in a habit of saying 'I don't do x' because it's easier for me. I will try my hardest not to say that.

Would it be better to say 'I can't do x because my symptoms make it unsafe for me to try and do that...' etc?

It's hard to know what this will be like, as I've never been to a Tribunal, so yes I am imagining it will be like a court and I'll be treated like a criminal

When you say the Tribunal will ask inquisitorial questions, do you mean they will simply ask the same questions the DWP would? Are there examples anywhere of the type of questions they will ask?

Thank you in advance. I'm getting nervous now.

Thank you very much Gordon, I really appreciate you sharing your wisdom and experience of what a Tribunal is like

You're right. I will be sure to think before I answer and take my time when I do. I will also keep in mind 'can't' and regulations 4 and 7 and explain how I meet those in all cases. I've also done this in my appeal document which I will have with me to read from if needed.

I will be sure to post here afterwards, no matter what the outcome is. Fingers crossed for a positive one and a receptive panel