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TRA Hearing Information Sheet

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Your hearing

Unless specifically agreed, our fee does not include our physical attendance at your hearing. The barrister we have instructed to represent you will meet you at the venue. We will have advised you of the time to meet them on the first day of the hearing, usually at least 30 minutes before the hearing is due to start. If your hearing is due to last for more than one day, the time you need to return on each further day will be agreed with your barrister.

Where to go

Unless specified otherwise your TRA hearing will take place at:

TRA

Cheylesmore House

5 Quinton Road

Coventry

CV1 2WT

 

The venue is just outside of Coventry city centre, on the edge of a residential area, less than a 10-minute walk from Coventry train station, with some parking on site.

The venue is usually open Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5 pm.

 

What to do on arrival

When you arrive, report to reception giving your name and the name of the case and you will be given a visitor pass, as well as a specific pass for the TRA hearing area (as other government departments are also based in this building) and advised which room your hearing will be in.

You will be directed to a small room in the vicinity of your hearing room that is allocated for the use of you and your barrister for the duration of your hearing, so that you have somewhere private to meet and discuss your case. The hearing rooms and small private rooms are all on the ground floor of the building.

What to expect

Your hearing will take place in a large meeting room with tables and chairs positioned for you and your barrister, the TRA case presenter (lawyer), the panel, the legal advisor, the hearings officer and any witnesses.

Unless it is specifically agreed that your case will take place in private, it is important that you are aware that hearings are open to the public who can come in and observe proceedings. Your hearing will also be recorded.

There can be a number of breaks during your hearing, when the panel retire to make a decision on each stage of the process, but also if the TRA lawyer needs to take instructions on a specific point or something particular is raised during proceedings and your barrister asks for time to discuss it with you in private.

What to bring

You only need to bring yourself to the hearing, unless we have specifically advised you to take anything else. Usually we will have included all of your evidence, certificates etc in the hearing bundle, but if you have any additional, recent evidence that you think may be useful do take that to the hearing with you.

You may prefer to attend on your own, but you can bring a family member, friend or colleague with you if you want to. They can come into the hearing with you to observe, or just stay in the room allocated to you and be there to support you during breaks in proceedings.

You may want to consider bringing a magazine, book or iPad with you, to keep you occupied and distracted during any longer breaks.

Remember to bring any medication with you that you need to take during the day, as the day can be quite long.

Either bring a packed lunch with you or money to buy lunch, as the TRA do not provide lunch.

What to do in advance

Try to have a good night’s sleep and plan your journey in advance, allowing extra time to ensure you arrive at the venue in good time and not flustered.

Have a read through your witness statement and any reflective piece you have written (if applicable) to refresh you on the details of your case, but also to reassure you that you are prepared.

What to do during the hearing

Until it is time for you to give your evidence (unless it has been agreed that you are not doing this), your barrister will speak on your behalf during the hearing, presenting your case and asking questions of the witnesses as appropriate.

When you give evidence, it is important that you speak clearly and as calmly as possible. Take your time and do not rush. Your barrister will guide you through this.

There will then be an opportunity for the TRA lawyer and then the Panel to ask you questions. Listen carefully and remember to answer the question as it has been asked. Take a deep breath and think carefully about your answer before speaking. If you are not sure what a question means, then ask. Do not be afraid to ask questions if anything is not clear.

Facilities

There is a small visitor car park on site, behind the main building, which can usually be used by those attending hearings, if you press the intercom at the barrier and explain who you are and why you are there.

There are toilets, including disabled facilities, within the building, all on the ground floor.

There is access to drinking water, tea and coffee within the vicinity of the hearing and private rooms.

There is a subsidised canteen in the building, which serves hot and cold meals, snacks and drinks and is open to you to use during your hearing.

Contact information

If you have any queries or problems during your hearing, then please contact us.

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