The Regional Chairman has contacted us with the discussion paper on good pre-hearing practice for representatives - requesting responses from welfare rights groups.

The section on 'advice to clients' refers to CSDLA/532/05 - can anyone direct me to this decision? We wouldn't want to sign up without reading what it said! (It's on the theme of the duty of representatives to explain the nature of proceedings to appellants.)

Can't help with the decision, but you might be interested to know that NAWRA is aiming to do a response. Contact is Andy.Platt@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

The email address for Andy Platt does not deliver. Do you happen to have am alternative contact address for NAWRA, or even better, are you aware if there's been any response paper as yet?

Thanks,

Steven Craig
Welfare Rights Officer
Queens Cross Housing Association Ltd
Community Services Department
45 Firhill Road
Glasgow G20 7BE

Tel: 0141 589 7363
Fax: 0141 589 7354
E: scraig@qxha.org.uk

more nawra info inc contact details @ http://www.nawra.org

We didn't produce an official response on behalf of NAWRA, but I have faxed you the reponse that Andy did.

Thank you and please convey my thanks to Andy. This document is extremely helpful.

CSDLA/532/2005 is now available via the commissioners website - www.osscsc.gov.uk

In this decision, Commissioner Parker considers the role of a representative in preparing a client for an appeal hearing.

Sorry Jim have to contradict you there, it was an official NAWRA response!

It should be up on our website in a week or two.

And my email should now be working again!

Just to let you know our response is now up on our website www.nawra.org, look in 'latest news'.