I was ordered by the Tribunal in a Disability Support Pension dispute to supply a "Medico Legal Report" which upon investigation can only be obtained by the 'expert Psychiatrist' by getting a 'letter of request' drawn up and signed by a lawyer. No "free' legal service was able to do this, so borrowed money and appointed a private lawyer, for which Centrelink said I could be compensated for later. (but of course deny telling me that.). I applied for an extension of time to deliver the 'report' as the 6 weeks the AAT gave was not enough.
I also explained the costs and difficulties of complying with the order in the timeframe. Through another 'directions order' the AAT decide to overtake to 'save me the costs' so they say, and appoint their own lawyer (registrar) to do the letter for which the 'Member' would settle all the terms of the content of the letter. I cancel my lawyer who has already done a draft of the 'letter of request' and charged me $2000 for his research and time. Also the AAT and Centrelink lawyer feared at the 'directions hearing' for this that any 'medico legal report' I acquired through my instructions to a private lawyer would probably be of no value. The lawyer at the AAT has refused to sign the letter she wrote and therefore the Psychiatrist will not provide a 'legal report'. Now the AAT tell me I can go to hearing with or without the 'Medico Legal Report".
Now how do I get compensated for the $2000 I lost?
I also explained the costs and difficulties of complying with the order in the timeframe. Through another 'directions order' the AAT decide to overtake to 'save me the costs' so they say, and appoint their own lawyer (registrar) to do the letter for which the 'Member' would settle all the terms of the content of the letter. I cancel my lawyer who has already done a draft of the 'letter of request' and charged me $2000 for his research and time. Also the AAT and Centrelink lawyer feared at the 'directions hearing' for this that any 'medico legal report' I acquired through my instructions to a private lawyer would probably be of no value. The lawyer at the AAT has refused to sign the letter she wrote and therefore the Psychiatrist will not provide a 'legal report'. Now the AAT tell me I can go to hearing with or without the 'Medico Legal Report".
Now how do I get compensated for the $2000 I lost?