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Which law would my assessor have contravened?

This discussion was created from comments split from: Introducing The Benefits Training Co.-Experts in disability benefits, tax credits and other benefits.
Replies
Hi @wildlife
I am indeed a solicitor, however like most solicitors, I specialise in a particular area of law, in my case the (somewhat niche) area of social welfare law. As such I don't want to give a definitive answer to your question, as it is not my field of expertise.
What I would say firstly about court action, is that unless you are eligible for fee remission then it may well be costly. Secondly that there needs to be a very direct and provable causal link between the act in question and any loss you suffered - in the case you have, yes the woman lied, and yes you suffered some loss, but the losses (physical, and presumably emotional) were probably not caused by this single act, but by the state of affairs of which this act was only one element.
To my knowledge for a case of falsehood you have to be looking at a financial loss which can be directly reimbursed, and for defamation it has to be damage to your reputation which causes the loss, so in any event if you really wish to try and pursue it I would advise to contact a Personal Injury solicitor for further advice on whether there is a case to make.
Apologies that I can't offer more specific advice. I totally understand your need to try and hold this person accountable for what they have done. I understand that you already have a complaint ongoing, and that is the route I would recommend, ultimately escalating it to the Parliamentary and Health Service ombudsman if the complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily. But I get that this probably won't punish this individual responsible and that that is frustrating for you.
Sorry I can't do more!
Mary