i am employed with CAB under an nfp LSC contract. i have had some recent correspondence with the TAS regional chair in this area regarding representation at SSATs/DATs etc.
currently i represent at tribunals only in complex cases as LSC refuse to accept representation as permitted work. my majority of cases are presented by written submission only, sent with the client to oral hearings.
i raised the issue at a recent TUG meeting and have corresponded since with the RC.
i post this to ask nationally if anyone is aware of LSC allowing representation in exceptional circs, and how other bx cope with thiss issue.
on speaking to some colleagues it appears a two-tier system is evolving, my own bx employ a non-LSC funded WR officer who regularly represents - but cannot afford the time to represent my cases.
on a side-note, following publication of stats for paper/oral/rep'd/non-rep'd hearings, my succes rate is at least on par with appeals won at oral with representativess present, though (not wishing to blow my owwn trumpet) this could relate to the application of the sufficient benefit test
i hope to get enough feed-back to present a request to TAS to lobby the LSC into allowing representation to be recorded as permitted work where it can be shown there is a real need i.e. severe mental health/complex HB cases
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