The Social Security and Child Support (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 1999

Time within which an appeal is to be brought

31.—(1) Where an appeal lies from a decision of the Secretary of State to an appeal tribunal, except in the case of a decision of the Secretary of State under section 3 or 3A of the Vaccine Damage Payments Act, the time within which that appeal must be brought is, subject to the following provisions of this Part—

(a) within one month of the date of notification of the decision against which the appeal is brought; or

(b) where a written statement of reasons for that decision is requested, within 14 days of the expiry of the period specified in sub-paragraph (a).

(2) Where the Secretary of State—

(a) revises, or following an application for a revision under regulation 3(1) or (3) does not revise, a decision under section 16 of the Child Support Act or under section 9, or

(b) supersedes a decision under section 17 of the Child Support Act or under section 10,

the period of one month specified in paragraph (1) shall begin to run from the date of notification of the revision or supersession of the decision, or following an application for a revision under regulation 3(1) or (3), the date the Secretary of State issues a notice that he is not revising the decision.

(3) An appeal against a certificate of recoverable benefits must be brought—

(a) not later than one month after the date a person making a compensation payment discharges his liability under section 6 of the 1997 Act;

(b) where the certificate is reviewed by the Secretary of State in accordance with regulations made under section 11(5)(c) of the 1997 Act, not later than one month after the date the certificate is confirmed, or, as the case may be, a fresh certificate is issued; or

(c) where an agreement is made under which an earlier compensation payment is treated as having been made in final discharge of a claim made by or in respect of an injured person and arising out of the accident, injury or disease, not later than one month after the date of that agreement.

(4) Where a dispute arises as to whether an appeal was brought within the time limit specified in this regulation, the dispute shall be referred to, and be determined by, a legally qualified panel member.

(5) The time limit specified in this regulation for bringing an appeal may be extended in accordance with regulation 32.