Interview Under Caution. Council Tax

horse99

Hi everyone. I've a mate at work who has received a letter asking him to attend an 'interview under caution' concerning his council tax. Without wanting to post the details on here I personally consider he has been careless rather than dishonest and therefore expect him to get a telling off and a fine. But he is bricking it and seriously depressed. What we want to know in advance is whether it's possible to request that the Council allow us to see the file before the interview? So we can assess what evidence they may have? Anyone know if this is allowed or not? Thank you

TELLIT01

I doubt it. The purpose of an interview under caution is to present evidence of possible wrongdoing.  To provide that information in advance would enable the person being interviewed to collude with others to create a false defence.  All you colleague can, or should, do is to be totally honest about the circumstances.

poppy12345

Honesty is always the best policy.

tomtom256

You can ask but they don't have to share, it's called disclosure.

If your friend gets a solicitor they may give them disclosure before the interview, but they only need to tell them the basic's of why they believe an offence may have been committed, so that they solicitor can brief their client.

The local authority should have there own fraud policy about possible outcomes, so it may be worth checking there website.

CIS

horse99 said:

Hi everyone. I've a mate at work who has received a letter asking him to attend an 'interview under caution' concerning his council tax. Without wanting to post the details on here I personally consider he has been careless rather than dishonest and therefore expect him to get a telling off and a fine. But he is bricking it and seriously depressed. What we want to know in advance is whether it's possible to request that the Council allow us to see the file before the interview? So we can assess what evidence they may have? Anyone know if this is allowed or not? Thank you

What is the issue -- Council Tax Reduction/Support or a discount/exemption ?

justwhat

He may want to take/see a solicitor. But as someone has said honesty is best policy.

If its been an honest mistake rather than a deliberate attempt to get a discount etc (over a short period). then it should be fine.