Opportunities with The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal
Category: Recruitment
Publish date: 04/09/2023
We are part of His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals and are an independent judicial tribunal which hears appeals relating to claims for compensation made by either serving or former Armed Forces personnel. Claims are made under either the old Service Pensions Order (the SPO, broadly relating to injuries sustained by service personnel before 6 April 2005) and the new tariff-based Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) for cases arising after April 2005.
Who are we?
We always hear cases as a panel of three: a judge, a doctor and a service member. Many of our panel members have some experience or connection to the Armed Forces and our service members all have substantial (at least 7 years) experience of serving, and are likely to have had deployed operational experience, experience of supporting operations and of command, staff or unit responsibilities for personnel matters.
How much time would be involved?
You’d be expected to sit between 15 and 30 days each year and there are opportunities to sit more. You’re paid a fee for each day you spend hearing cases but are expected to do the preparation work and write up decisions in your own time.
Why would I want to be a service member?
This is really important work that gives you the opportunity to bring your specialist knowledge and expertise to help make the right decisions for veterans. It is an important public service, and we all find the work rewarding and intellectually stimulating as well as having a great team of colleagues to work with.
What experience do I need?
We’re looking for those who have at least 7 years' service (either currently serving or recently retired within the last 5 years) at Lieutenant Commander, Squadron Leader, or Major rank and above, as well as Warrant Officers and Senior Non-Commissioned Officers of the Regular or Reserve Forces. You’re likely to have had deployed operational experience, experience of supporting operations, and of command, staff or unit responsibilities for personnel matters. A wide understanding of the military ethos and service working practices would be a fundamental element of this substantial experience, while an exposure to all three Armed Forces would be ideal.
The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal - a Service Member’s Perspective
“Four years ago, at a crossroads in my career, I was wondering what type of work I might move onto next. This was quite a brain teaser as I hoped to put the skills and experience that I had gained in the military to good use, ideally to help military comrades, continue to challenge myself mentally and work in a professional environment. I also wanted this work to be part-time and with sufficient flexibility that I could take time out for some travel adventures and other commitments. Thankfully, fate was on my side.
"At a dinner, I bumped into a colleague I had worked with over 20 years previously and asked what she was up to these days. ‘Oh, I’m a service member with the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber, I’ve been doing it since I left the Army; it’s great!’ Well, I was really pleased to hear how happy she was and asked her to explain what it was all about. She did….and I was captivated. And the best bit was, the Ministry of Justice was recruiting new service members to sit on the tribunals, and a few months later I was lucky enough to be selected as one. I’ve now been with the Chamber for 3 years and absolutely love it.
"One of the most important aspects to me is that the work is both interesting and worthwhile. Each tribunal comprises 3 members: a judge, a doctor and a service member, and we hear the appeals of service men and women, serving and retired, who have applied for compensation for physical or mental injury caused by their time in service.
"The flexibility is great - we give our availability a couple of months ahead and are then allocated to cases. We read the papers in advance, and on the day, the tribunal meets to hear each case, together with the appellants and their representatives, usually from one of the service charities, and a representative from Veterans UK. The majority of our hearings are held by video conference, with face-to face hearings arranged when requested.
"The special value that the service member brings is wide ranging: it could be knowledge of the conditions troops were under on particular training or overseas operations, explaining technical jargon or equipment to other tribunal members, or perhaps making a judgement based on experience on the feasibility of an explanation as to how an injury came about. This specialist knowledge, experience and empathy is highly valued by our legal and medical colleagues for providing the context of what might otherwise seem an inexplicable case from an alien environment.
"The decision-making is very collegiate with judge, doctor and service member working together on an equal footing to make the right decision based on the written documents and the evidence given by the appellant at the hearing. I find it fascinating and thoroughly absorbing to learn about so many different medical conditions as well as understanding how we’re able to apply the law. It would be fair to say that my own professional development and understanding of these fields has been given a massive boost.
"And so I find myself thoroughly enjoying my work. Each day feels worthwhile, but the reward really comes when I know I have provided some key information or logic, based on military experience that helps to ensure justice is done. This feels really important to me as the impact on a service person, when closure is brought to their case, can be immense.”
Find out more
The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber will be looking for new panel members in November 2023 - would you be interested in joining us?
We’ll be advertising in November 2023 and you can sign up for alerts.