Appeals Workshop and Submissions to Tribunal

This course is suitable for experienced assessors, appeals officers, team leaders, etc.

Duration: 2 days

This course is designed as a workshop-based training programme for benefit officers who will be responsible for preparing written submissions and presenting cases to the appeals tribunal.

Learning outcome

The course is designed to improve both written and oral submissions to the tribunal, thus increasing the officers’ confidence in their abilities. The training workshop includes: group work, discussion and sharing ideas and methodologies. Given the nature of this workshop, numbers are restricted to nine delegates per session.


 

Day 1: morning session

Introduction – The right to appeal

  • Background
  • Decision letters (including example templates re: right to appeal)
  • The customers’ right to appeal (who can/what can be regarded as an appeal)
  • Identifying an appeal
  • Time limits for appeal
  • Late appeals (cover extensions to time limits and ‘out of time’ submissions)

Going to the appeals tribunal?

  • Reconsideration and revision
  • Time limits
  • Preparing your submission
  • Writing the submission (format template provided)
  • The paperwork (AT37s, TAS1s etc)
  • Tools and tricks of the trade
  • Attending the tribunal

 

Day 1: afternoon session – workshop

Considering the essential factors in a written submission

Consideration of the content and decision process in relation to approximately 2-3 written submissions. These submissions will cover the most common areas of appeal. The result of the tribunal decisions will also be available in relation to these cases.

All participants will be given copies of each submission for discussion and write submission(s) for the appeal tribunal based on details of an actual case.

It is expected that each delegate will work on identical submissions in order to ensure all delegates are fully familiar with the same cases and can therefore participate fully in group discussions and recommendation for improvements etc.


 

Day two

Morning session – the written submission

  • Examination of the consideration given and essential factors identified within delegates’ written submissions.
  • To discuss/identify any possible additions, omissions or improvements to written submissions.

Afternoon session

  • Participants to present a case(s) to tribunal panel. Other participants to act as the tribunal panel and ask questions of the ‘presenting officer’.
  • Group evaluation of presentation and questioning skills.