Telephone Hearings

Telephone hearings offer an opportunity to present your case in person to the Adjudicator without having to travel to participate in the hearing.

Telephone Hearings are very similar to personal hearings as they give you the opportunity to speak to the Adjudicator and explain your case. They are conducted in the same manner as personal hearings and take the same length of time.

The benefits are:

No Travel - Although the Tribunal has a wide range of venues throughout the country for personal hearings, we understand there is still travel involved for most appellants.
Convenience - Telephone hearings are arranged on a regular basis and therefore we can usually accommodate a date and time suitable for all parties. You do not need to take time off work as the hearing can take place anywhere, as long as it is reasonably quite (although the Adjudicators are used to dealing with some background noise) and we ask that you are not disturbed during this time.
No travel expenses - there are no travel expenses and you do not have to make any calls. You will be contacted on the number supplied at the time of the hearing.

How do Telephone Hearings work?

A telephone hearing is a two or three way conference call facilitated by the Tribunal. The Telephone hearing will involve the Adjudicator, you and a Council representative, if they wish to participate.

You do not need to make the telephone call yourself. You simply need to be available at the time arranged, on the telephone number you have provided. Please ensure the number and the location you have chosen are suitable. It is beneficial for you to be somewhere quiet and where you are unlikely to be disturbed for around 20 minutes.

How to request a telephone hearing

If you would like a telephone hearing please tick the relevant box on your Notice of Appeal form.

If you have already chosen another hearing type but would like to request a telephone hearing please contact the Tribunal who will be able to advise you as to what you need to do.

You will then be contacted to arrange a suitable date and time for the telephone hearing and answer any queries.

Before your telephone hearing you will be sent a letter confirming the details and further information regarding the workings of telephone hearings.

What happens during the hearing?

Hearings are relatively informal.

At the start of the hearing the Adjudicator will introduce themselves and explain how the hearing will be conducted. The Adjudicator will have familiarised themselves with the case, but will give the parties the opportunity to state their case. The Adjudicator may ask questions. At the end of the hearing the Adjudicator will normally give a decision. This will then be sent to both parties in writing.

How to prepare for your telephone hearing:

Ensure you are available at the date and time on the contact number agreed. If you become aware you will not be available you must contact the Tribunal before the hearing.
Ensure the number and location you have chosen are suitable. It is beneficial for you to be somewhere where you are unlikely to be disturbed for around 20 minutes. For safety reasons the Adjudicator will not allow the hearing to continue if you are driving.
Be prepared, have copies of yours and the councils evidence with you if possible, as the Adjudicator may make reference to these.

Feedback has shown that 93% of Appellants that took part in a telephone hearing felt they had sufficient opportunity to put their case across to the Adjudicator with 85% of appellants saying they would opt for a telephone hearing again or recommend it to a friend.

Some positive comments include:

"Quick and Easy. Less stressful."
Attending a personal hearing would be difficult due to work commitments. Telephone hearings seem the best opportunity to comment on my case."
"Telephone hearings save time and money - no unnecessary costs."
"I found it a lot less stressful!"
"Much more economical and less time consuming."