Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Northern Ireland) (Amendment) Rules 2001

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Rules.)

These Rules amend the Pensions Appeal Tribunals (Northern Ireland) Rules 1981 so as to reflect the amendments to the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Acts made by the Child Support, Pension and Social Security Act 2000 and effect other minor changes. In particular, the Rules provide for—

(1) appeals against “specified decisions” under section 5A of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943, as inserted by the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Act 2000 (Rules 3 and 5);

(2) the position and powers of the President, Deputy President and Chairmen of Pensions Appeal Tribunals for Northern Ireland (Rules 2, 3, 4 and 9);

(3) power to strike out an appeal for want of prosecution (Rule 7);

(4) the omission of some unnecessary words in defining what person may represent an appellant (Rule 8);

(5) the statement of reasons for a decision of a Tribunal, including a decision to adjourn an appeal (Rules 12 and 14);

(6) the procedure to be followed where an appellant is resident abroad and his appeal has been directed to be heard by a tribunal appointed for Northern Ireland (Rule 15);

(7) visits in assessment appeals where the appellant is unable to attend the Tribunal through infirmity (Rule 17);

(8) the power to extend time limits to be confined to the President (Rule 22).