Re:forthcoming IB tribunal date.I have requested a new date for my appeal as my representative has had to fly abroad at short notice to attend to a sick relative.this goes without saying the enormous impact & bearing this wil have on my case and being able to put forward all the evidence & arguments.i am now living in fear as to what may happen If the DWP still decide to call me up for the hearing alone and not being able to explain the finer details of my case.Are the DWP within their rights to still ask me to attend without my representative,knowing full well what effect this will have on my abilities to explain my health conditions or is this an issue that they have discretion over ??
Where did you send your request for a postponement?
An appeal tribunal is a court of law (albeit an informal one) to which you and the DWP are party to the proceedings. It's completely independent of the DWP and treats both parties equally, so the DWP do not make the decision; it's the tribunal that decides.
If you haven't already done so you should contact the Tribunals Service, explain your situation and ask for the hearing to be postponed to a later date. I'm afraid their is no absolute right to an adjournment/postponement of the hearing but clearly you do have good reason to ask for a new date.
