The ABC Introduce Ourselves to Hylton-Potts Legal Consultants

Simon Collyer of the ABC is challenging the DWP over what might be described as a legal anomaly, a matter that could potentially affect all jobseekers. We cannot discuss the details of the case, but the DWP are battling not to have the case heard in Court at all.

If we win our case, this could influence the treatment of all benefit claimants. So, we are very keen to have our day in Court and test this important issue.

We have great respect for government lawyers, and in a moment of inspiration, we were directed to Rodney, of Hylton-Potts Legal Consultants. We certainly needed a legal ‘gunslinger’ to back us up, despite having pretty good legal knowledge ourselves.

We have to say Hylton-Potts present themselves rather differently than the average legal firm and we like [love] there winning attitude, as this attitude resonates with ours.

Solicitors frequently advertise Legal Aid and you find it is for matrimonial matters only. Some ask you to leave a message on their Voicemail and you never hear from them again. Others seem more interested in their fees than anything else. Trying to find help on a modest budget can be very difficult indeed. Almost impossible.

Hylton-Potts has a great deal of expertise in the welfare field. People can be accused of fraud, such as when a partner moves in and people fail to notify the DWP. There are so many laws in the UK even academics have given up trying to find out how many. There is an argument that everyone is guilty of something if you look hard enough.

There is clearly a difference between the person who gets some gardening work from a friend who desperately needs a pair of shoes and does not declare it, to someone with the ethics of a bank robber who sets out to rob and abuse the system. We have seen cases where people’s circumstances change, and they forget to stop a claim for Housing Benefit quick enough, and then find they cannot pay the money back. We strongly advocate that since benefits have been frozen, a more sympathetic attitude is taken towards those claimants who get in a muddle. There is a need for these people to be distinguished from those with an obvious criminal intent. We can all err and make mistakes.

Some might argue it is the government robbing taxpayers, collecting the same amount of tax and NI but paying out less and less in benefits, to people becoming who are increasingly desperate. The government is the real villains some might argue. However, we cannot possibly comment.

The battle to get our matter heard will be in the Chelmsford County Court in late June. Hylton-Potts are reviewing our case and they are providing input.

If you have a welfare issue, or if you have been accused of fraud by the DWP or if you have other legal issues do check out the Hylton-Potts website. Do not, get formally get interviewed by the DWP or Inland Revenue without getting professional help.

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