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Representation for PIP tribunal

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Joe__F
Joe__F Community member Posts: 29 Connected
in PIP, DLA, and AA
I'm currently organising representation for my PIP tribunal. I've had a look online at three different firms who offer this service. They all seem to offer to write the submission and represent at the tribunal.

1) Scott Moncrieff charge a £1700 upfront payment
2) Community Legal Representation charge 35% of backpay, no win no fee
3) Disability Claims charge £1000 upfront, and a further £3000 in case of positive outcome of the tribunal

I have never needed legal representation before in my life, and I feel like I don't have a lot to go on to evaluate these different firms, how good a job they might do in representing me etc. They all cite very high success rates in PIP tribunals, and all tell me that they have at least 10 years experience working with disability benefits appeals.

Has anybody here been represented by one of these firms before for a PIP tribunal? It would be great to hear about other people's experiences, to help me decide who to go with.
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  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Community member Posts: 54,220 Disability Gamechanger
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    You should never ever pay anyone to help/support and represent you for any Tribunal. There's advice agencies out there that will help you for free. Start here. https://advicelocal.uk/

    I would appreciate it if members wouldn't tag me please. I have all notifcations turned off and wouldn't want a member thinking i'm being rude by not replying.
    If i see a question that i know the answer to i will try my best to help.
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  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,010 Disability Gamechanger
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    Try https://advicelocal.uk/
    See if you can get anyone to rep you.
    You shouldn’t be paying for representation at a tribunal.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
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  • Dibbo
    Dibbo Community member Posts: 1 Listener
    edited January 2022
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    Initially I was very worried about my PIP application and fully expected to use a legal firm.

    In the event I was awarded PIP and need not have worried. I know solicitors are expensive but I didn't expect the sorts of costs the original poster gave which seem quite steep. Some of those costs seem set to increase further, too!

    I have had some very good free help with benefits applications and wonder if that might be a more affordable route, as some here have suggested. I found it can be hard getting the right person and takes alot of time but for me it was worth persisting.

    I also joined the "Benefits and Work" website which is mentioned here from time to time (membership costs about £20 a year). I found their guides and checklists very useful, although I personally didn't get as much help from their forum.

    I wish you the best of luck in sorting this out!

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  • Mikeb2102
    Mikeb2102 Community member Posts: 24 Courageous
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    Joe__F said:
    I'm currently organising representation for my PIP tribunal. I've had a look online at three different firms who offer this service. They all seem to offer to write the submission and represent at the tribunal.

    1) Scott Moncrieff charge a £1700 upfront payment
    2) Community Legal Representation charge 35% of backpay, no win no fee
    3) Disability Claims charge £1000 upfront, and a further £3000 in case of positive outcome of the tribunal

    I have never needed legal representation before in my life, and I feel like I don't have a lot to go on to evaluate these different firms, how good a job they might do in representing me etc. They all cite very high success rates in PIP tribunals, and all tell me that they have at least 10 years experience working with disability benefits appeals.

    Has anybody here been represented by one of these firms before for a PIP tribunal? It would be great to hear about other people's experiences, to help me decide who to go with.
    I went with Community Legal Reps, they are extremely good. I know there are free options but CLR took my score of 0 points on the PIP assessment and MR and I was awarded Daily Living At Enhanced Rate before the tribunal started based on the submissions they gave them. They referenced other cases in their submissions and they specialise in PIP tribunals. I know they take 35% of backpay, but I had lost anyway, so I figured if they win my case then 65% of something is better than 100% of nothing 
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