The important factor to take into consideration, when applying for DLA is to persist, they have a very high rejection rate for first-time claimant at around 65%. If rejected, appeal, as around 85% of appeals are successful in favour of the claimant. Wherever possible get a social worker or a welfare rights advisor to assist with the application and any subsequent appeals as they know how to work the system to your advantage.

A letter to your local Councillor or Member of Parliament outlining your concerns should resolve matters. The council will take more immediate notice of them than they will with you.

I would not worry too much about the funeral bill. A quiet word with the Funeral Director will ensure the bill is deferred until such times your mother's claim is sorted. They are usually understanding in these matters and providing you explain the situation to them it should not be a problem.

A former prisoner at the forefront of prison law advocacy has overturned a TV licensing conviction on appeal. John Hirst said that he used his television only for watching videos, DVDs and CCTV footage of his own house but was found 'technically guilty'. Hirst, who tells this week's OUT-LAW Radio about the case, represented himself at Hull Magistrates' Court despite suffering from Asperger Syndrome, a form of autism. Again representing himself, he won his case on appeal to the Hull Crown Court when the TV Licensing Authority decided not to defend the case. The full text can be found here - http://www.out-law.com/page-7465

Whenever the TV Licensing tells you that you must buy a TV Licence when you have a TV they are misleading you. They prey on the ill-informed and gullible members of the public, they are merely salesmen earning a commission for every TV License they coerce people into purchasing whether or not they require one. You do NOT need a TV Licence for owning any kind of TV receiver/VCR/Satellite receiver/PC with TV-Card [PC/TV] etc. irrespective of the fact that these devices may have built-in tuners, providing those tuners are not being used to receive broadcast signals, a TV Licence is not required. The onus is on TV Licensing to prove that those tuners are being used for the purpose intended. To make their life less complicated TV Licensing simply assumes that any TV will be used for watching TV broadcasts.

The onus is on TV Licensing to prove that a TV Licence is required. The students have no legal requirement to respond to any communication from TV Licensing, they will continue to receive correspondence until they give in and purchase a TV licence. The likelihood of a search warrant being obtained is extremely slim due to the expense and the evidence required to obtain one. Ownership of a TV does not in itself require the purchase of a TV licence. A licence is only required when the TV is being used to receive a broadcast signal from the BBC and such like. If a TV is being used only to view pre-recorded DVD's and Video's a license is not required.

Unless you have signed a tenancy contract for the property prior to the moving-in date, the offer of alternative properties or refund of holding fee, would be seen to be reasonable. It would probably not be advisable to incur any further expense in pursuing a claim, as it a very grey area and any claim is unlikely to be successful.

The fact you have had arrears in previous years has probably contributed to them doing so. Assuming that you haven't paid any of this year's water rates, by instalments or in full, it would be reasonable for them to assume that you cannot or are not intending to pay the current bill thus their decision to serve court papers. They would normally expect arrears to paid off over and above the current water bill – the current bill by instalments plus agreed arrears instalments - and not payment of arrears until settled then payment of current bill otherwise you will constantly be in arrears. I would suggest you contact them to withdraw the court action and arrange payment for the year's bill.

As a Ebico customer, gas and electricity, I would recommend the switch-over as they don't penalise you for having a pre-pay meter. I personally have found them to cheaper than other pre-pay suppliers. The sign-up process is quite simple and they keep you informed throughout, you should expect any switch-over to take around a month or less. The sign-up / switchover page is here - https://www.ebico.co.uk/cgi-bin/ebicoapp2.cgi

Within 6 years of the debt occurring. After that period if the debt remains the Council can go to Court and ask for a Liability Order. The liability order allows the council to deduct the council tax debt from your wages or benefits. The Council will be granted the liability order unless you defend the debt.

Virginmedia can only call the telephone/mobile number you have supplied to them. If you have given Virginmedia your mate's number or your mate is answering your telephone calls on your behalf, it is not unreasonable for them to believe they are speaking with you, the account holder.

Whilst the GP contract stipulates that patients should be seen within 48 hours it does not stipulate that patients should necessarily see a preferred GP within that time frame.

They have not your settled your claim in full, do not cash the cheque, inform them and the court you have received part payment of your claim and allow the court action to continue. Let the court remind them of their contractual responsibilities.

I would suggest you direct your complaint directly to Steve Stewart, Managing Director of Customer Care at Virgin Media. Whilst I cannot guarantee your complaint will be resolved to your satisfaction, you will at least be contacted by someone from Virgin Media senior management team who take all complaints a little more seriously than the call-centre staff. In instances such as persistent overcharging you are well advised to cancel direct debits until the matter is resolved. Do not attempt to resolve the matter with the call centre staff contact Virgin Media senior management directly, informing them why you cancelled your direct debit and requesting that they resolve the matter to your satisfaction. They will normally contact within 48 hours of receiving your complaint with a resolution.