My name is Holly. 

My father, partner and I Have all separately been victims of the Highland Councils Non Domestic Rates Appeal Hearings process, which has breached our rights to a fair and impartial Hearing.

Summary - Since 2010 Local Authorities in Scotland have unlawfully departed from using the judicial process for Non Domestic Rates Appeals (previously held by the properly legally constituted Valuations appeal committee) by conducting NDR appeal hearings before a kangaroo court of their own making, out with the judicial process, constituted and conducted in a manner that is incompatible with Human Rights legislation.

These hearings are held in private, judged by members of the council, advised by council solicitors, with no right or course of appeal. This is entirely incompatible with article 6 of the convention of Human Rights whereby  you are entitled to a fair and impartial and independent  hearing, in public, that no body should judge its own case and that there should be a course of appeal.

The Highland Council have held Numerous hearings, all of which have behind closed doors and in no way independent or impartial.

They have NEVER FOUND IN FAVOUR of the APPELLANT.

As there is no right of appeal, the council is then free to act upon their own decision, which in at least one case has allowed them to pursue the individual to sequestration with devastating consequences for the victim and his family.

Call to action - we are raising £30,000 to fund a Judicial Review into the actions of the Highland Council in our Particular case, however the outcome will have far reaching implications for all business owners and all Local Authorities in Scotland.

We are seeking judgement from the court of session.

This is of great importance to all business owners and owners of properties liable for Non Domestic Rates in Scotland. If this can happen to us, it can and will happen to others.

We will be seeking Judicial Review which will be lodged imminently.

We are initially seeking to raise £30,000 to cover the legal cost of raising a judicial review however the expected final costs are likely to be considerably higher.

This has been an emotional, exhausting and challenging journey so far and I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for the assistance you are pledging.