[2024] UKUT 427 (AAC)

This hearing was conducted by video at the appellant’s request so that her step-father could assist her. She was also assisted by her son with some technical issues with the laptop and video technology. Despite DBS’s efforts to send her a hard copy bundle at the judge’s (late) direction, this had not arrived and nor did the appellant at the start of the hearing have the electronic bundle available to her. With the help of her son and a second laptop arrangements were made for her to be able to access the bundle.

The appellant had not prepared a witness statement, despite a direction to do so, but it was agreed by Mr Ryan for DBS that her submissions in reply to DBS’s response could be read as constituting a witness statement and an intention to give evidence at this hearing. At the invitation of the Tribunal, the appellant confirmed on affirmation the truth of those submissions, and also the statement she provided to her employer in the internal disciplinary proceedings, her submissions to DBS in response to the “minded to bar” letter and her grounds of appeal.

The appellant was questioned by Mr Ryan for DBS and by the Tribunal.

Both parties then made closing submissions, referring to the written submissions they had provided in advance.