Part IIAdjudication

References by authorities

53Power of adjudicating authorities to refer matters to experts

1

An authority to which this section applies may refer any question of special difficulty arising for decision by the authority to one or more experts for examination and report.

2

The authorities to which this section applies are—

a

an adjudication officer;

b

an adjudicating medical practitioner, or two or more such practitioners acting together;

c

a specially qualified adjudicating medical practitioner appointed by virtue of section 62 below, or two or more such practitioners acting together;

d

a social security appeal tribunal;

e

a disability appeal tribunal;

f

a medical appeal tribunal;

g

a Commissioner;

h

the Secretary of State.

3

Regulations may prescribe cases in which a Commissioner shall not exercise the power conferred by subsection (1) above.

4

In this section “expert” means a person appearing to the authority to have knowledge or experience which would be relevant in determining the question of special difficulty.