Independant ACC Advocate and Advisor

Providing professional representation and advice in your ACC disputes

who am i

Maruis

After working as an attorney in South Africa for over ten years, I moved to Whangarei with my family in 2019.

In July 2020 I started working in association with an established ACC Advocate/Advisor and I effectively took over her practice when she retired in June 2021.

I work as an independent ACC Advocate/Advisor and represent clients in review applications and District Court Appeals against the Accident Compensation Corporation.

If you are seeking professional representation in your dispute with ACC at a fraction of the cost of engaging a solicitor, then you have come to the right place.

Click here more information on the services I provide.

See our services

No win, no fee!

I work on a no win, no fee basis so unless we are successful with your review, you will not be liable to pay for my services.

Professional representation

Dealing with an ACC dispute can be a daunting and frustrating task. I can help you navigate the process and my experience increases your odds of being successful.

The Process
Our Services

The below is a summary of a typical Review/Appeal process

We will be there to help you every step of the way.

ACC issues an unfavourable decision.
Claimant/Advocate lodges a review application and requests a copy of the claimant's ACC claim file.

The claim file contains all relevant medical evidence relating to your ACC claim.
ACC allocates a review number and appoints an ACC Review Specialist to represent it in the review

Some disputes can be resolved at this early stage in which case the Corporation may revoke and replace the decision in dispute.

If this does not happen, the process proceeds as set out below.
Advocate/Claimant receives a copy of the claim file approximately 20 business days after the application is lodged. The Advocate considers the merits of the claim and whether further evidence is required for purposes of the hearing.

If further evidence/clarification is required, the Advocate sends a referral to the treating specialist for a medical report.
The Review Specialist and the Advocate agree on an independent provider to facilitate the review (either ICRA or Fairway Resolutions) and agrees on a Case Management Conference date.
ICRA or Fairway Resolutions appoints an independent reviewer to hear the review. The reviewer's task is to set aside ACC's initial decision, consider the evidence provided and determine whether the original decision by ACC was correct or incorrect.
A case Management Conference is held during which the Reviewer, ACC's Review specialist and the Advocate discuss the decision under review, agree on timetabling for the filing of further evidence (if any), the filing of submissions before the hearing and agree on a hearing date.

A hearing date must be agreed upon within three months of the review application being lodged, failing which the review is deemed to be decided in favour of the claimant.

In certain circumstances, mediation may be suggested by either the Advocate or ACC as opposed to proceeding with the formal review hearing. For more information on mediations, refer to our Services.
Further evidence is exchanged ie. additional expert medical reports, radiology reviews etc. are filed.
Your Advocate prepares written submissions which are filed prior to the review hearing.

The submissions summarise the factual and medical evidence, sets out the legislative basis for the claim and the basis on which the decision is being reviewed.

A review hearing is held, usually via video conferencing.

The Advocate represents the claimant during the hearing.

The hearing usually follows the following format:

  • The Advocate asks the applicant questions surrounding the accident and injury which resulted in the ACC claim.
  • The Reviewer and/or ACC may ask questions of the claimant following the verbal evidence.
  • The Advocate summarises the applicant's case and provides verbal submissions explaining why the claimant should have cover or be entitled to entitlements funded by ACC.
  • ACC's Review Specialist summarises ACC's case and provides verbal submissions explaining why the Corporation deems its decision as correct.
  • The Advocate/Claimant responds to any contentious submissions made on behalf of ACC.

The Reviewer issues a decision within 28 calendar days of the hearing being concluded.

The Reviewer may:

  • Dismiss the review application; or
  • Quash/set aside ACC's decision and replace it with their own decision; or
  • Amend ACC's decision; or
  • Quash ACC's decision and direct that further investigation is required following which ACC must issue a new decision.

This decision is binding upon the parties.

Should the claimant/Advocate be of the view that the reviewer’s decision is wrong, a claimant may consider lodging an Appeal against the decision to the District Court.

An Appeal must be lodged with the District Court registry within 28 calendar days of the review decision being issued.

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