An individual shall not be charged fees of any kind by the Commissioner or his or her representatives, a referee, or the Board in any proceeding under this chapter. An individual claiming benefits in any such proceeding may be represented by counsel or other authorized agent; but no such counsel or agents shall together charge or receive for such services from any individual more than 10 percent of the maximum benefits at issue in such proceedings or court action, except as the Board or the court may allow in exceptional circumstances.
21 V.S.A. § 1356