Legal advise for Tribunal?

LittleJohn

Hi

I have just received the paperwork for a Tribunal. The pack is around fifty pages in total. My income sources are quite complicated. I am self-employed and an employee (of my own company).

I am thinking of taking some advice on this, has anybody any experience of Child Support Solutions?

Thanks

LJ

Light_Speed_Cruiser

Don't know Child Support Solutions but the website doesn't indicate they are solicitors.

NACSA offer a 1 year subscription providing a phone and email consultation service for about £40. They can help you build your case before going legal. Plan your questions with care and be succinct.

Stephen Lawson does full representation. He'll peruse and comment on your case and make application for legal aid for about £350.

Durham Legal Services. Mike Smith I heard is a solicitor who used to work at the CSA. He comes accross as is very encyclopedic on Child Support legislation. I don't know his fee schedule. Comments on this forum suggests he has a very large case load and could be overworked. He does lots of tribunal work.

Always ask for your costs at tribunal. Keep a record of all work done disbursements and your hours spent preparing the case.

The only way to win a trinunal is to prove the CSA has failed to comply with legislation or show the CSA has relied on unsafe evidence.

LittleJohn

Thank you LSC.

I guess another question is do I need to be represented. I am the NRP. My ex had her appeal turned down by the CSA and has now applied to the Tribunal service.

The CSA have provided comments and CSA case law which at the moment imply that I am correct in the payments I am making. My ex does not believe me/them and is looking for more cash via a Tribunal.

cheers


LJ

Light_Speed_Cruiser

If you are 100% sure your case is solid according to CSA legislation then get represented and instruct your solicitor to ask for your costs.

I know nothing of CSA internal procedures but I get the feeling your ex is calling the shots and not the CSA as far as trying to prove you are paying less than you should be.

Without knowing the basis your ex says you have a higher income than assessed by the CSA, its impossible to comment. I can only say be guided by the judge and follow his directions verbatim. From personal experience the tribunal will ask for very solid evidence from your ex or the CSA to support their case.

kelloggs36

There are no costs involved in attending a tribunal. If you wish to instruct a solicitor then that is your choice but you can't ask for anybody to refund the costs to you. It isn't a court as such.

It looks like your ex has appealed and is now going for a tribunal hearing. I take it that the tribunal have requested that you supply certain information - what exactly have they asked for? You could write and ask for clarification. You may find that when you get there they request you supply further info and adjourn the hearing to give you time to supply it. You don't have to have anybody represent you - it could be costly to do so. It is nothing to be afraid of - they are merely seeking the facts. Your ex will be making allegations and so where necessary further clarification and evidence will be sought by the tribunal. You should provide everything they request although you are not obliged to do so. However, if you don't provide info requested they can draw adverse inference from this fact and award on the balance of probability.

Light_Speed_Cruiser

kelloggs36 wrote: »

If you wish to instruct a solicitor then that is your choice but you can't ask for anybody to refund the costs to you. It isn't a court as such.

It's presided by a judge, its rulings are legally binding on all parties and its run by the Court Service.

If its not a court as such then what is it?

Bottom line is, the CSA cheated, it was caught and was busted. I was awarded costs.

kelloggs36

It does not award costs it isn't like that.

Light_Speed_Cruiser

I am not on legal aid so who paid my solicitors fees?

Why is the tribunal chair called a judge?

Why did the judge ask me for a written schedule of my costs?

Who paid it if not the CSA?

marksoton

As far as i am aware if you are successful at tribunal level the only costs you can have reimbursed are those for travel to and from the hearing and if needed interpreters costs.

Proceedings are presided over by a " legally qualified " individual sitting alone but if deemed needed a financial expert may be present also. They are not a judge per se.

The commissioner however is appointed by the queen and has the standing of a circuit judge.

pd001

LittleJohn wrote: »

Hi

I have just received the paperwork for a Tribunal. The pack is around fifty pages in total. My income sources are quite complicated. I am self-employed and an employee (of my own company).

I am thinking of taking some advice on this, has anybody any experience of Child Support Solutions?

Thanks

LJ

Specialist help

I have heard of NACSA, google them. I believe that for general information they are very good. It’s cheap to join as well!
When you join they can be a mine of information.
However, when you ring them you have to leave a message and then they call you back. They tend not to answer the phone when you ring them.

Others on here mention a solicitor called Stephen Lawson who is supposed to be very good when it comes to all matters CSA. I have no personal knowledge of him at all.Don't know what he charges but I have read on these forums that he will give you an estimate of his charges at the beginning.
Probably not cheap

There is another firm called Durham Legal Services and I have only heard mixed reviews about them. I have no personal knowledge of them at all.
No idea about their charges, probably not cheap

Child Support Solutions
They specialise in all matters CSA related and charge a monthly fee.
In some cases they take over all contact with the CSA and basically fight your corner for you.
Not cheap

The above are the main people/companies/solicitors who specialise in dealing with the CSA. Google them all and see what you think

Soubrette

Light_Speed_Cruiser wrote: »

It's presided by a judge, its rulings are legally binding on all parties and its run by the Court Service.

If its not a court as such then what is it?

Bottom line is, the CSA cheated, it was caught and was busted. I was awarded costs.

I think that you and kelloggs may be at cross purposes here - she is talking about a tribunal requested by the PWC where both parties will be expected to present their evidence.

Are you talking about something like a judicial review where you took the CSA to a tribunal?

Sou