I'd like to quickly share my experience in court appealing against the HO decision for maintenance funds.
Got to court by 9.30, waited for 30 min and entered into the court room where I had about 4 appellants before me. i was there with my lawyer.
In the end was my case turn by around 2pm after one hour break. First the Judge; HO person and my lawyer made sure they had the same documents such as bank statements, after the began to identify which days i was below the 800 pounds and all agreed were only 2 days right at the beginning of the period. My lawyer said that i dropped down cause i had urgent bills to pay and if i had know that i needed the money every single day I could have paid after those 2 day hence avoid the gap then I said i was unaware of the guidance and misinterpreted it that was a naive technical error.
My lawyer said also that the 800 was a guidance and not a rule and the case worker should of had applied common sense when assessing my application. Also he showed examples of previous similar cases to mine where other judged had allowed the appeal ( they were really similar to mine). then the F.. HO office representative said that wouldn't allow it and then we said that the judge should it. Judge asked me if I had money to cover the period somewhere else where I replied by saying that I don't.
Then the Judge told us he'll send us the decision by post.
Can't tell what the decision will be but in the worst of the scenarios I am going to high court to fight - won't let this unfair system put me down.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Best.