Advocate, a leading legal charity has, with the support of the Tribunal, made available a scheme to provide assistance and representation free of charge to litigants in person in cases before the Competition Appeal Tribunal (“CAT”) that are proceedings in England & Wales within the meaning of Rule 18(1) of the CAT Rules.
If you wish to seek free legal representation, you must complete a copy of the relevant Individual Application Form (available at: https://weareadvocate.org.uk/apply-for-help/how-our-service-works.html ). If you are unable to complete an online application form, please contact Advocate at catscheme@weareadvocate.org.uk or on 020 4518 6141 (voicemail only service).
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU COMPLETE THE APPLICATION FORM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THIS INCREASES THE CHANCE THAT ADVOCATE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP YOU FREE OF CHARGE.
In your application form you will need to give details about: (a) the issue or case which your application is about; (b) the work you need help with; and (c) your financial circumstances.
A senior barrister will review your application for help. If they think that the merits of your case are strong enough and if you are unable to pay for legal help, Advocate will try to find a barrister who is willing to provide help to you for free. While every effort will be made to find a barrister, there is no guarantee that Advocate will be able to do so.
You will need to provide any relevant papers to Advocate. Advocate will then make those documents available to the barrister who has agreed to help you.
Under the scheme, the barrister will only be available to help you with a specific piece of work, for example advice on the merits of your case or representation at a hearing. If you need further help after this hearing, you will need to apply again to Advocate.
The scheme is designed for those unable to afford to pay for legal representation. The advocates are acting voluntarily and will not be paid for any work they do for you. Please remember that:
- The advocate is acting as a volunteer and is working for free.
- He or she will try to help you but there will be limits to that help.
- If you want the advocate to help you at a hearing, you can ask him/her to make all of the arguments for you, or to make only some of the arguments for you. However, there may be points that the advocate is not able to make (for example where the barrister does not consider the point to be properly arguable). You can choose to make these points yourself.