Social Sciences Festival 2026:Disability and Accessibility in the Tribunal
When:
—
Venue:
Birkbeck Central
Join Dr Alex Murray and District Tribunal Judge David Chrimes for a discussion about disability and accessibility in the Tribunal Service. Every year, thousands of people contest the initial decision made on their disability benefit claim by lodging an appeal in the tribunal. Whilst the overturn rate is high, many people still find it difficult to engage with the appeal hearing due to limited access to advice services, long wait times, and a narrow understanding of disability that does not sufficiently account for invisible and dynamic disabilities.
Speakers will discuss how accessible the Tribunal System is for professionals and appellants. Dr Alex Murray will be discussing the Diverse Disabilities research project funded by the Nuffield Foundation. This project examines how a more expansive and dynamic understanding of disability could improve accessibility and decision-making in the tribunal. David Chrimes is a District Tribunal Judge in the Social Entitlement Chamber and will discuss his work as a Tribunal judge and his experience of working in the legal sector as a disabled person himself.
Contact name: External Relations Events
Speakers-
District Tribunal Judge David Chrimes
—
David is a District Tribunal Judge of the Social Entitlement Chamber, based at Luton Magistrates’ Court. He spent over 25 years as a Prosecutor in the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
-
Miss Alex Murray
—
Alex is a Research Fellow at the Institute for Crime and Policy Research (ICPR) at Birkbeck and the Lead on the Diverse Disabilities research project.
Tags: