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Oral hearing

You can choose to have an oral hearing once your case is ready to be judged by an Appeals Service tribunal.

The tribunal is made up of two people not connected to North Somerset Council or Liberata and it will decide whether we have made the correct decision about your benefit.

You can attend an oral hearing but if you find you cannot go you must inform the Appeals Service immediately so they can try and arranage another date.

You must have a good reason for not attending such as illness but if you do not let the Appeals Service know it may hear your appeal without you.

At the appeal the tribunal may ask you questions and you can ask it questions and call witnesses to give evidence.

You can also take along a representative and they can ask questions and call witnesses if they wish.

Oral hearings are usually open to the public but anyone who goes to them will usually be involved in the appeal.

However, you can ask to have your appeal heard in private.

The Appeals Service may pay some of your expenses for going to the tribunal and you should contact the office handling your appeal for further information.

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