War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal

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The tribunal hearing

There are different tribunals in Scotland and tribunals in Northern Ireland.

Your hearing will take place by phone, video or in person.

In person hearings are usually held in major cities across England and Wales. You’ll be told where you have to go.

The tribunal will give you at least 14 days’ notice of the date of any hearing. You should be given a hearing within 4 months of the tribunal receiving a response from Veterans UK.

You must tell the tribunal if you cannot make it to the hearing - they might arrange another date if you have a good reason.

The tribunal might hold the hearing without you if do not attend.

Prepare for the hearing

You can go to the hearing on your own or ask someone to help represent you. You can also call a witness to support your case.

If you or your witness or representative is outside the UK and wants to give live video or audio evidence, contact the tribunal to request it. Tell the tribunal what country you, the witness or representative is in and what type of evidence is being given. You must do this as soon as possible.

Organisations that can help represent you include:

Take your appeal papers and the documents you’re using as evidence to the hearing. You should give copies of any evidence to the tribunal and Veterans UK before the tribunal hearing.

Tribunal panel

The tribunal is made up of:

  • a judge
  • a medical member
  • a service member

What happens at the hearing

The judge, tribunal members, Veterans UK and your representative (if you have one) will ask you questions about your case.

The tribunal will then question any witnesses you’ve brought to the hearing.

You’ll usually get a decision from the tribunal on the day of the hearing.

Expenses

You might be able to claim expenses or compensation for:

  • travel (only in the UK)
  • living expenses for the time you’re away from home
  • loss of earnings

More information

You can find out more about expenses or contact the tribunal for more information.

War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Appeals tribunal
armedforces.chamber@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0330 808 4458
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