Explanatory Notes

Tribunals (Scotland) Act 2014

2014 asp 10

15 April 2014

Commentary on Sections

Part 2 – Organisational Arrangements

Structure of the First-tier Tribunal

Section 22 – Appointment to post

50.This section provides that the Scottish Ministers, after consultation with the Lord President, are to appoint a Chamber President to preside over a particular chamber (subsections (1), (2) and (4)).

51.By virtue of section 16(2)(b), a Chamber President of the First-tier Tribunal is also a legal member of the Upper Tribunal. Section 22(3), therefore, makes provision so as to ensure that any person appointed to the position of Chamber President also meets the eligibility criteria which would be required of a person to be appointed as a legal member of the Upper Tribunal. The effect of subsection (3) is to provide that a person will only be eligible to be appointed as a Chamber President if he or she is, or meets the eligibility criteria for being appointed as, a legal member of the Upper Tribunal.

52.The eligibility criteria for appointment as a legal member of the Upper Tribunal are set out in Part 2 of schedule 5.