Our local authority decision maker is sending out two copies of the appeal submission and schedule of documents to the clients, the client is then supposed to forward one to us!

When we asked why, as this has not happened in the past - and certainly does not happen with JCP or DBU etc - we were told that they cannot send us the documents until they are told they can by TAS.

I've never heard of anything like this - anyone else all of a sudden having this problem?!!

When does the rep become the rep?!!!

Any comments gratefully received.

Nicky

The Appeals Officer of the LA is talking nonsense, and has not read the guidance, (it also begs the question that if they are unaware of how to issue a submission, what is the standard of their decision making like???)!!!

The LA must issue a copy to the appellant's rep. So long as the claimant has previously signed a form allowing the LA communicate with the rep, (or later if the claimant completes and signs form TAS1 listing the rep), then the LA is obliged to send a copy of the full submission to the rep...

This is re-produced in the guidance on the appeals service website (issued in hard copy to all LA's in 2001!), SEE PARA 4.32 of the guidance on the attached link...

http://www.appeals-service.gov.uk/1427.htm

You might want to 'remind' the LA of this guidance...

Thank you very much! This is exactly what we needed.

A strong "reminder" going out today!

Thanks again

Nicky