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the best opening lines of a judgment ... 

shawn mach
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ClairemHodgson
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Brian JB
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Or a recent favourite from our area of work - [2016] UKUT 0512 (AAC) - on the wonders of tax credits and the SLAN

1. The Appellant was born in Hungary in 1985. He probably cannot remember life there before the collapse of the former Communist regime in 1989. He has, however, doubtless heard tales from his parents and grandparents about the faceless and stifling government bureaucracy operating in Hungary before the restoration of democracy. He arrived in the UK in 2012 to work. He probably thought he had left those family memories well behind. Little did he know; his problems with Kafkaesque officialdom had only just begun.

Paul_Treloar_AgeUK
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Brian JB - 27 April 2017 01:22 PM

Or a recent favourite from our area of work - [2016] UKUT 0512 (AAC) - on the wonders of tax credits and the SLAN

1. The Appellant was born in Hungary in 1985. He probably cannot remember life there before the collapse of the former Communist regime in 1989. He has, however, doubtless heard tales from his parents and grandparents about the faceless and stifling government bureaucracy operating in Hungary before the restoration of democracy. He arrived in the UK in 2012 to work. He probably thought he had left those family memories well behind. Little did he know; his problems with Kafkaesque officialdom had only just begun.

Nice one Brian, I do remember having a chuckle reading that decision.

ClairemHodgson
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hope someone has added that to the relevant twitter feed…...

Peter Turville
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Brian JB - 27 April 2017 01:22 PM

Or a recent favourite from our area of work - [2016] UKUT 0512 (AAC) - on the wonders of tax credits and the SLAN

1. The Appellant was born in Hungary in 1985. He probably cannot remember life there before the collapse of the former Communist regime in 1989. He has, however, doubtless heard tales from his parents and grandparents about the faceless and stifling government bureaucracy operating in Hungary before the restoration of democracy. He arrived in the UK in 2012 to work. He probably thought he had left those family memories well behind. Little did he know; his problems with Kafkaesque officialdom had only just begun.

I can’t help feeling that UT judge’s are having their own little competition in tax credit cases to see who can castigate HMRC in their judgements in the most humerous manner (with or without reference to Kafka, Monty Python etc).

Jon (CANY)
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Here’s the entire opening paragraph of [2015] UKUT 0490 (AAC), another tax credit case:

1. Well, here we go again.

ClairemHodgson
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Peter Turville - 27 April 2017 02:19 PM

I can’t help feeling that UT judge’s are having their own little competition in tax credit cases to see who can castigate HMRC in their judgements in the most humerous manner (with or without reference to Kafka, Monty Python etc).

you’re probably right. but HMRC aren’t listening (probably because they’re not reading the decisions and working out that they need to get their own house in order!)

Peter Turville
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ClairemHodgson - 27 April 2017 05:08 PM
Peter Turville - 27 April 2017 02:19 PM

I can’t help feeling that UT judge’s are having their own little competition in tax credit cases to see who can castigate HMRC in their judgements in the most humerous manner (with or without reference to Kafka, Monty Python etc).

you’re probably right. but HMRC aren’t listening (probably because they’re not reading the decisions and working out that they need to get their own house in order!)

But that does make it all the more easy for tribunals - prepare submission based on ever growing pile of ignored case law - attend tribunal - walk in (no introductions required) -“we have allowed your appeal. we’re sorry this nonsence had to come this far” - pre-prepared Decision Notice handed over - leave [record: time in hearing 60 seconds].

The SSWP does now appear to be entering this territory, at least in PIP decisions / submissions - see MR, SF, KB etc. although the UT judges do need to up their game in the humour stakes with these. I have a PIP submission that is utter drivel on my desk as I type!!

nevip
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Jon (CANY)
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Dan_Manville
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“If anyone involved in housing benefit work is looking for a Commissioner’s decision to take to a desert island, this is the one.”

2001; I’m feeling old now.

[ Edited: 2 May 2017 at 11:29 am by Dan_Manville ]