I know this is hardly a new complaint but I feel that wing members are becoming more and more marginalised in appeals. Does anyone out there feel the same way or is it just me?
In Stockport yesterday the Chairman in a DLA supersession case announced that in his opinion my client was lucky to have received her award in the first place and was in danger of losing her existing award if the appeal went ahead. We discussed whether we wished to withdraw. I suggested an EMP which he refused, and in the end the case was adjourned because the claimant was too stressed out to continue. As I left town I reflected on the fact that throughout the whole process the two wing members (at great expense) had said not a word throughout the whole process, nor had the Chair asked their opinion before firstly refusing and then agreeing to adjourn.
The ultimate was in Chesterfield earlier this year when the Chairman took me into an adjacent room and offered me DLA MRC without any formal hearing.
(Yes. I did accept his offer!)
Any thoughts?
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