tribunal panel, are they local people?

Also regarding tribunals does anybody know if the panel are local people? or people from outside the area? For example if it was a judge who lived down your avenue who'd known you all of your life he'd be in your favour, or if it was a doctor who was your own and was sympathetic to you, would that happen?

So, in summary, Are they all local people, or some are local and some are not local, or all from outside the area?

Hi Cathy,

Most tribunal members, including the legal chairman are only part-time, and are paid a fee for each day they sit on appeals.Tribunal Judges are salaried and paid by the Dept of Justice.

Until recently I sat as the Disability Specialist on DLA Tribunals and worked from home, although my Regional Office was in Liverpool which is the base for North West England.

A tribunal heard in any town or city in North West England, would be heard by
a tribunal comprising of local tribunal members, usually from the same county. So for example an appeal to be heard in Cumbria would consist of tribunal members from Cumbria, or Lancashire.

The same should apply to tribunals held in any part of the country.

Hope this explains things, but also see Social Security Tribunals

Jim

Hi ChattyCathy

Just to add to what Jim said, if any member of the panel know you, the hearing would not take place and would have to be adjourned. Your own doctor would certainly not be allowed to sit on your tribunal, nor would a judge who lives next door!

Derek

Thanks Derek,

Forgot to add that.

Jim

Ah thanks guys, so then the panel will be from the same COUNTY, but could they also be from the same TOWN as the claimant? Would that be allowed?

ChattyCathy wrote:

Ah thanks guys, so then the panel will be from the same COUNTY, but could they also be from the same TOWN as the claimant? Would that be allowed?

I don't see any reason why not. In my area the tribunal center covers quite a large area including two towns. So the members that make up the tribunal could live almost anyplace within the county, including in your own street. Providing they don't know you personally, I cant see any reason ( even if they do live in your street ) why they cannot handle your tribunal.