If someone has asked you to go with them to the tribunal to give them support, there are several things that you could do that would be very useful.

Before the hearing

1. Sit down with your friend and write a list of all the ways in which they meet the descriptors that they are basing their appeal on. Have it with you on the day and tick them off as they are said. If at the end of the hearing, there are still things that have not been said - you can remind them.
2. If you frequently provide care or help them with daily tasks like cooking or going out, have you thought about writing a letter to the tribunal about what help you provide (and what happens if they don't get help). This can be really useful evidence. See Getting evidence for more guidance. When you have written the letter, support your friend to upload it to their Manage your appeal account, or help them send a paper copy.
3. If you're OK with writing, ask your friend if they want your help to write a statement for the tribunal. Help them upload it to their Manage your appeal account, or help them send a paper copy.
4. Read the parts of How to appeal a PIP decision which deal with what will happen at the tribunal so that you know what to expect and can support your friend.
5. If it is a video hearing, help your friend to make the test call in advance to check everything is working. They will have received a link.
6. If the hearing is in-person, help your friend to work out how they will get there and what time they should leave in order to arrive 20 minutes early.
7. Read What to do on the day of the tribunal and maybe give your friend some  practice answering the questions. 

At the hearing

1. If they get upset or stressed, you can try to calm them down. If this does not work, ask them if they want a short break.

2. You are not usually allowed to answer questions on your friend's behalf. If you realise that your friend has left bits out when answering a question - try to remind them, rather than say it for them. 

   However, if they are finding it difficult or becoming very emotional you can ask the Judge if you can help by answering the question for them. If they say no, suggest a short break so that your friend can calm down.