Practice Statement from the Senior President of Tribunals: Delegation of functions to legal officers in the Social Entitlement Chamber
Practice Statement authorising Legal Officers to carry out functions of a judicial nature in the First-tier Tribunal (Social Entitlement Chamber)
1. The Senior President of Tribunals hereby authorises any appropriately trained member of staff appointed under section 40(1) of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 or section 2(1) of the Courts Act 2003 and designated as a ‘Legal Officer’ by the Chamber President to carry out the functions of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008 set out in paragraph 3 below.
2. A Legal Officer must have been authorised by the Chamber President to exercise those functions. All functions must be exercised under the supervision of a judge and in accordance with guidance issued by the Chamber President.
3. A Legal Officer may make all decisions that a judge assigned to the Social Security and Child Support or Criminal Injuries Compensation jurisdiction may make under the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008 save those which are substantive final decisions.
4. In accordance with rule 4(3) of the Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Social Entitlement Chamber) Rules 2008, within 14 days after the date that the Tribunal sends notice of a decision made by a Legal Officer pursuant to an authorisation under paragraph 1 above that party may apply in writing to the Tribunal for the decision to be considered afresh by a judge.
Sir Keith Lindblom
Senior President of Tribunals