Arvin Narendra

I am a Consultant Solicitor based at Duncan Lewis's City of London office. I represent clients in several areas of social security law, regarding welfare benefits appeals, at the First-tier and Upper-tier Tribunals. I mainly specialise in medical related benefit cases regarding Universal Credit, limited capability for work related activity, employment and support allowance appeals, personal independence payments and attendance allowance appeals (I also assist with claim forms for these benefits).

I have experience in child and young adult appeals and claims for disability living allowance, and also over 65 years in claims and appeals for attendance allowance. I can also represent clients in appeal cases where it is alleged that the client failed to attend with good reason.

I represent clients at interviews under caution at the Jobcentre or Local Authority offices regarding allegations of benefit fraud. These cases can also turn into appeals regarding an overpayment of benefits, which can also be appealed to the First-tier Tribunal. I also have experience with housing benefit appeals and various other benefit appeals.

I have been specialising in welfare benefits appeal cases for the last 20 years, and I have over 17 years of post-qualification experience. I have a strong record of successful appeal cases with many clients returning should they require legal assistance again in the future.

• Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice - LPC (2004 - 2005)
• LLB Honours and BA in Human Resources - Keele University (2001 - 2004)

Duncan Lewis Solicitors

• County Court Duty Solicitor (2023)
• Consultant Solicitor - Welfare Benefits (2016)
• Head of Department - Welfare Benefits (2010 - 2016)
• Supervisor - Welfare Benefits (2008 - 2010)
• Admitted as a Solicitor (2008)
• Commenced Training Contract (2006)
• First Employed (2005)

10 Kings Bench Walk - Barristers Chambers

• Junior Clerk (2001 - 2004)

• "Arvin was very professional in how he came across when discussing my case. He took full ownership of the case and was very thorough. What really impressed me was despite a very short window to the date of the tribunal Arvin did his utmost best to provide me with the best advise, guidance and support which won me my case. I would definitely recommend Arvin Narendra to anyone who needs a benefits solicitor. For me it was money well spent and got the result i wanted." - Client


• "I highly recommend Arvin, whether it’s for benefit claim forms or all the way to the appeals stage. Arvin was professional and thorough in his approach when working on my case. Having to go through to appeals is a very draining and stressful process. Instructing Arvin to be my representative was the best decision I’ve made this year so far. He definitely took some of the stress off my very drained shoulders. Arvin’s final submission to the tribunal was exactly what I wanted and he 100% understood the brief. As a testament to Arvin’s work, on the morning of my tribunal hearing. I received a phone from the tribunal clerk, I was told not to attend the hearing and my appeal had been successful! This was such a big relief and I couldn’t have gone through this appeals process without Arvin. Thank you once again Arvin, you really are top-tier in your field." - Client


• "Arvin Narendra provided a professional and prompt service and is clearly expert and highly experienced in the field of welfare benefits. All the stress of trying to handle the appeal myself was taken away and I was relieved to get the award reinstated for more years than I was expecting." - Client


• "Mr Narendra assisted me with some delicate housing and welfare issues and successfully defended my claim against a wrong decision which was made by a government department. Mr Narendra has an excellent understanding of the legal system in his field and his submissions prevented a miscarriage of justice, and I hereby commend his diligent work to the management and partners at Duncan Lewis Harrow." - Client


• "Mr. Arvin Narendra (Duncan Lewis - Harrow) is an extraordinarily competent, committed solicitor and his extensive experience with benefit cases (Personal Independence Payments) has proven invaluable to my family. I am extremely impressed with his professionalism and compassion…Mr. Narendra’s exemplary diligence and intricate understanding of applicable laws were vital in proving that the DWP decision to revoke benefits, in this subtly complex case, was ultimately wrong. Mr. Narendra’s successful appeal of the case resulted in full restoration and repayment of all withheld funds. While the monetary benefits are critically important, I must also point out that Mr. Narendra taking on and winning this difficult case against the DWP has prevented what would've been a life-altering travesty and also provided my family member with a priceless experience of true justice. I would highly recommend Mr. Narendra to anyone who has questions about and/or is in need of assistance with a PIP matter." - Client


• "With all the information available online, I almost decided to "self-represent" at my PIP tribunal. I'm really glad I didn't make that mistake but instead engaged Mr. Arvin Narendra's legal services instead! His professionalism and extensive experience made a massive difference - there were so many points surrounding PIP regulation and precedent cases he was familiar with that applied to my specific case that no way I could have known or got from the internet. I was very fortunate Mr Narendra had an opening on his calendar during my specific tribunal date - despite working on a very short time frame (less than 1 month), he very quickly got a strong grasp on the fine detail of my case and explained everything so I understood clearly. He was also very sharp with details and picked up on some facts in my psychologist letter that would strengthen my case, including having a blue badge and submitted that as supporting evidence. I really appreciated how he made sure to have a call with me before my tribunal date to prepare me and answer all my questions so I would know exactly what to expect when appearing at court. I ended up winning the Tribunal, and I have no regrets engaging Mr Narendra who earned every penny with his kindness and by completely taking the burden off my shoulders! I recommend him very highly! " - Client


• "I write to you with feedback of my experience of being assisted/represented by Arvin Narendra. Arvin has assisted in several of my PIP Benefit Applications and Renewals since 2017 and most recently in 2023. As a person with long term disability the benefits system has become more and more challenging and difficult to navigate for a layperson, the stress and worry this causes is significant and exacerbated due to the long delays by the DWP in processing applications/renewals. I cannot stress enough the worry and physical impact caused the DWP process." - Client


• "I took the proactive decision back in 2017 to instruct Arvin for the first time, I had spoken to several Benefits Specialists but was impressed with Arvin’s knowledge and calm approach to what was a difficult experience for me, Arvin reassured me and made me feel confident should my Benefit application be declined and proceed to Tribunal. I also felt more confident when the DWP requested that I attend a ‘face to face’ medical assessment." - Client


• "The second time I instructed Arvin was during Covid times, this made the posting of documents a little more challenging, Arvin like many was working from home and I recall he visited the Post Office personally to submit my completed Renewal Forms, there were several adjustments made by Arvin due to the Covid circumstances but all to continue to provide a seamless service." - Client


• "The most recent instruction was in May 2023, once again I did not hesitate to instruct Arvin for my Benefit Renewal. The DWP Process was once again slow as ever and delays in processing meant that my access to Motability Vehicle would have been affected, I contacted Arvin to convey my fears and he kindly provided me with a Letter to provide the DWP, following this the DWP provided a one year extension in order for my Disability Vehicle to be renewed, it wasn’t until May 2024 that the DWP confirmed that my PIP Award would be extended for a further four years without the need for a face to face medical assessment, I suspect having Arvin and the letters he drafted may have influenced this favorable outcome." - Client


• "I would like to express my sincere thanks and praise for his support, guidance and professionalism, I will of course be back in touch to instruct Arvin for my next Benefit Application/Renewal and wish him all the best until then." - Client


• "Arvin was very professional in how he came across when discussing my case. He took full ownership of the case and was very thorough. What really impressed me was despite a very short window to the date of the tribunal Arvin did his utmost best to provide me with the best advise, guidance and support which won me my case. I would definitely recommend Arvin Narendra to anyone who needs a benefits solicitor. For me it was money well spent and got the result i wanted." - Client


• "Dear Duncan Lewis Solicitors, I hereby commend the excellent work, customer care and conduct wherein Arvin Narendra acted for me, after accepting instructions in my latest matter, along with all the past work he has done on my behalf.
  
  He has a good understanding of the subject matter, accuracy and attention to detail. He has a talent for listening to the customer, won all of my cases, and I consider his competitive fees to be money well spent. I would use Arvin Narendra services again 10/10." - Client


• "Applying for PIP is not as simple as the DWP website suggests; there is no one to help you make a good claim. In fact it feels like the DWP wants to catch you out. I had no idea that there were lawyers who specialised in making these applications until a friend of a friend told me about this. Having gone through the process I can see that, if you believe you have a good case and should be awarded some "points", employing a lawyer to help you is a very good idea. We employed Arvin half way through the process. Until then it had been extremely stressful. Arvin understood the system and despite our voluminous documents, was able to stand up for my son's needs very accurately." - Client


• "I initially started my son’s DLA claim with another firm who described themselves as experienced in this area. Unfortunately, that proved to be a costly mistake. The forms were not completed properly, important details were missed, and deadlines were not managed effectively. As a result, the claim was refused. Following that experience, I instructed Arvin to take over the case. The difference was immediate. Arvin was efficient, responsive, and clearly understood both the legal framework and the practical realities of DLA claims. The case was properly prepared, evidence was organised correctly, and the matter was pursued robustly. I have now been awarded DLA for my son, backdated for two years, which I anticipate will amount to approximately £15,000–£16,000. After what had been a very frustrating start with the previous firm, dealing with Arvin was straightforward and professional throughout. He was also a genuinely pleasant person to deal with during what was, at times, a stressful process. My advice to others would be simple: be careful who you place your trust in. Titles can be misleading. I assumed a Lawyer is the same as a solicitor. They are not. They are not regulated. I could even call myself a lawyer if I so wanted to. A regulated solicitor provides a level of accountability and regulatory protection that others may not. In complex benefits cases, that distinction matters.
  
  I would not hesitate to recommend Arvin to anyone dealing with a DLA appeal." - Client

• Social Security Law Practitioners Association

• In my spare time I assist at various voluntary organisations & charities regarding welfare benefits related queries