Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992

• (b) subject to subsection (2) below, a question whether the contribution conditions for any benefit are satisfied, or otherwise relating to a person’s contributions or his earnings factor;

• (c) a question whether a Class 1A contribution is payable or otherwise relating to a Class 1A contribution;

• (d) a question whether a person is or was employed in employed earner’s employment for the purposes of Part V of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (e) a question as to whether a person was, within the meaning of regulations, precluded from regular employment by responsibilities at home;

• (f) any question as to which surpluses are to be taken into account under section 45(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (g) any question arising under any provision of Part XI of the Contributions and Benefits Act or this Act, or under any provision of regulations or an order under that Part, as to—

• (i) whether a person is, or was, an employee or employer of another;

• (ii) whether an employer is entitled to make any deduction from his contributions payments in accordance with an order under section 155A of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (iii) whether a payment falls to be made to an employer in accordance with the regulations or order;

• (iv) the amount that falls to be so deducted or paid;

• (v) the amount of an employer’s contributions payments for any period for the purposes of an order under section 155A of the Contributions and Benefits Act; or

• (vi) whether two or more employers or two or more contracts of service are, by virtue of regulations made under section 159(5) of that Act, to be treated as one; . . .

• (h) any question arising under any provision of Part XII of that Act or this Act, or under any provision of regulations under that Part, as to—

• (i) whether a person is, or was, an employee or employer of another;

• (ii) whether an employer is entitled to make any deduction from his contributions payments in accordance with regulations under section 163 of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (iii) whether a payment falls to be made to an employer in accordance with the regulations;

• (iv) the amount that falls to be so deducted or paid; or

• (v) whether two or more employers or two or more contracts of service are, by virtue of regulations made under section 167(2) of that Act, to be treated as one ; and

• (i) any question arising under Article 29 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995, or under any provision of regulations under that Article, as to—

• (i) whether a person is, or was, an employee or employer of another;

• (ii) whether an employer is entitled to make any deduction from his contributions payments in accordance with regulations under Article 29 of that Order;

• (iii) whether a payment falls to be made to an employer in accordance with those regulations;

• (iv) the amount that falls to be so deducted or paid; or

• (v) whether two or more employers are, by virtue of regulations under Article 29 of that Order, to be treated as one.

• (2) Subsection (1)(b) above includes any question arising—

• (a) under section 17(1) of the Contributions and Benefits Act as to whether by regulations under that subsection a person is excepted from liability for Class 4 contributions, or his liability is deferred; or

• (b) under regulations made by virtue of section 17(3) or (4) or 18 of that Act;

but not any other question relating to Class 4 contributions, nor any question within section 18(1)(c) below.

• (3) Regulations may make provision restricting the persons who may apply to the Department for the determination of any such question as is mentioned in subsection (1) above.

• (4) The Department may, if it thinks fit, before determining any such question as is mentioned in subsection (1) above, appoint a person to hold an inquiry into the question, or any matters arising in connection with it, and to report on the question, or on those matters, to the Department.

Appeal on question of law.

16

• (1) A question of law arising in connection with the determination by the Department of any such question as is mentioned in section 15(1) above may, if the Department thinks fit, be referred for decision to the Court of Appeal.

• (2) If the Department determines in accordance with subsection (1) above to refer any question of law to the court, it shall give notice in writing of its intention to do so—

• (a) in a case where the question arises on an application made to the Department, to the applicant; and

• (b) in any case to such persons as appear to it to be concerned with the question.

• (3) Any person aggrieved by the decision of the Department on any question of law within subsection (1) above which is not referred in accordance with that subsection may appeal from that decision to the court.

• (4) The Department shall be entitled to appear and be heard on any such reference or appeal.

• (5) Rules of court may include provision for regulating references and appeals to the court under this section.

• (6) Notwithstanding anything in any Act, the decision of the court on a reference or appeal under this section shall be final.

Review of decisions.

17

• (1) Subject to subsection (2) below, the Department may review any decision given by it on any such question as is mentioned in section 15(1) above, if—

• (a) new facts have been brought to its notice; or

• (b) it is satisfied that the decision—

• (i) was given in ignorance of some material fact;

• (ii) was based on a mistake as to some material fact; or

• (iii) was erroneous in point of law.

• (2) A decision shall not be reviewed while an appeal under section 16 above is pending against the decision of the Department on a question of law arising in connection with it, or before the time for so appealing has expired.

• (3) On a review any question of law may be referred under subsection (1) of section 16 above or, where it is not so referred, may be the subject of an appeal under subsection (3) of that section, and the other provisions of that section shall apply accordingly.

Adjudication by adjudication officers

Claims and questions to be submitted to adjudication officer.

18

• (1) Subject to section 52 below, there shall be submitted forthwith to an adjudication officer for determination in accordance with this Part of this Act—

• (a) any claim for a benefit to which this section applies;

• (b) subject to subsection (2) below, any question arising in connection with a claim for, or award of, such a benefit; . . .

• (c) any question whether, if he otherwise had a right to it, a person would be disqualified under or by virtue of any provision of the Contributions and Benefits Act for receiving a benefit to which this section applies; and

• (d) any question whether a jobseeker’s allowance is not payable to a person by virtue of Article 21 of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

• (2) Subsection (1) above does not apply to any question which

• (a) may be determined by an adjudication officer under Article 11(6) or 12(5) of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995; or

• (b) falls to be determined otherwise than by an adjudication officer.

• (3) Any question as to, or in connection with, entitlement to statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay may be submitted to an adjudication officer—

• (a) by the Department; or

• (b) subject to and in accordance with regulations, by the employee concerned,

for determination in accordance with this Part of this Act.

• (4) If—

• (a) a person submits a question relating to the age, marriage or death of any person; and

• (b) it appears to the adjudication officer that the question may arise if the person who has submitted it to him submits a claim to a benefit to which this section applies,

the adjudication officer may determine the question.

• (5) Different aspects of the same claim or question may be submitted to different adjudication officers; and for that purpose this section and the other provisions of this Part of this Act with respect to the determination of claims and questions shall apply with any necessary modifications.

• (6) This section applies to the following benefits—

• (a) benefit as defined in section 121 of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (aa) a jobseeker’s allowance;

• (b) income support;

• (c) family credit;

• (d) disability working allowance;

• (e) any social fund payment such as is mentioned in section 134(1)(a) or (2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (f) child benefit;

• (g) statutory sick pay; and

• (h) statutory maternity pay.

Decision of adjudication officer.

19

• (1) An adjudication officer to whom a claim or question is submitted under section 18 above (other than a claim which under section 28(12) or (13) or 33(7) below falls to be treated as an application for a review) shall take it into consideration and, so far as practicable, dispose of it, in accordance with this section, and with procedure regulations under section 57 below, within 14 days of its submission to him.

• (2) Subject to subsection (3) and section 35 below, the adjudication officer may decide a claim or question himself or refer it to a social security appeal tribunal.

• (3) The adjudication officer must decide a claim for or question relating to an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance himself.

• (4) Where an adjudication officer refers a question as to, or in connection with, entitlement to statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay to a social security appeal tribunal, the employee and employer concerned shall each be given notice in writing of the reference.

• (5) In any other case notice in writing of the reference shall be given to the claimant.

• (6) Where—

• (a) a case has been referred to a social security appeal tribunal (“the tribunal”); and

• (b) the claimant makes a further claim which raises the same or similar questions; and

• (c) that further claim is referred to the tribunal by the adjudication officer,

then the tribunal may proceed to determine the further claim whether or not notice has been given under subsection (4) or (5) above.

Appeals from adjudication officers - general

Appeal to social security appeal tribunal.

20

• (1) Subject to subsection (3) below, where the adjudication officer has decided a claim or question other than a claim or question relating to an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance—

• (a) if it relates to statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay, the employee and employer concerned shall each have a right to appeal to a social security appeal tribunal; and

• (b) in any other case the claimant shall have a right to do so.

• (2) A person with a right of appeal under this section shall be given such notice of a decision falling within subsection (1) above and of that right as may be prescribed.

• (3) No appeal lies under this section where—

• (a) in connection with the decision of the adjudication officer there has arisen any question which under or by virtue of this Act falls to be determined otherwise than by an adjudication officer; and

• (b) the question has been determined; and

• (c) the adjudication officer certifies that the decision on that question is the sole ground of his decision.

• (4) Regulations may make provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, appeals are to be brought.

• (5) Where an adjudication officer has determined that any amount, other than an amount—

• (a) of an attendance allowance;

• (b) of a disability living allowance;

• (c) of a disability working allowance;

• (d) of statutory sick pay; or

• (e) of statutory maternity pay,

is recoverable under or by virtue of section 69 or 72 below, any person from whom he has determined that it is recoverable shall have the same right of appeal to a social security appeal tribunal as a claimant.

• (6) In any case where—

• (a) an adjudication officer has decided any claim or question under Part V of the Contributions and Benefits Act; and

• (b) the right to benefit under that Part of that Act of any person other than the claimant is or may be, under Part VI of Schedule 7 to that Act, affected by that decision,

that other person shall have the like right of appeal to a social security appeal tribunal as the claimant.

• (7) Subsection (2) above shall apply to a person with a right of appeal under subsection (5) or (6) above as it applies to a claimant.

Appeal from social security appeal tribunal to Commissioner.

21

• (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an appeal lies to a Commissioner from any decision of a social security appeal tribunal under section 20 above on the ground that the decision of the tribunal was erroneous in point of law.

• (2) In the case of statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay an appeal lies under this section at the instance of any of the following—

• (a) an adjudication officer;

• (b) the employee concerned;

• (c) the employer concerned;

• (d) a trade union, where—

• (i) the employee is a member of the union at the time of the appeal and was so immediately before the question at issue arose; or

• (ii) the question at issue is a question as to or in connection with entitlement of a deceased person who was at the time of his death a member of the union;

• (e) an association of employers of which the employer is a member at the time of the appeal and was so immediately before the question at issue arose.

• (3) In any other case an appeal lies under this section at the instance of any of the following—

• (a) an adjudication officer;

• (b) the claimant;

• (c) in any of the cases mentioned in subsection (5) below, a trade union; and

• (d) a person from whom it is determined that any amount is recoverable under section 69 or 72 below.

• (4) In a case relating to industrial injuries benefit an appeal lies under this section at the instance of a person whose right to benefit is, or may be, under Part VI of Schedule 7 to the Contributions and Benefits Act, affected by the decision appealed against, as well as at the instance of any person or body such as is mentioned in subsection (3) above.

• (5) The following are the cases in which an appeal lies at the instance of a trade union—

• (a) where the claimant is a member of the union at the time of the appeal and was so immediately before the question at issue arose;

• (b) where that question in any way relates to a deceased person who was a member of the union at the time of his death;

• (c) where the case relates to industrial injuries benefit and the claimant or, in relation to industrial death benefit, the deceased, was a member of the union at the time of the relevant accident.

• (6) Subsections (2), (3) and (5) above, as they apply to a trade union, apply also to any other association which exists to promote the interests and welfare of its members.

• (7) Where the Commissioner holds that the decision was erroneous in point of law, he shall set it aside and—

• (a) he shall have power—

• (i) to give the decision which he considers the tribunal should have given, if he can do so without making fresh or further findings of fact; or

• (ii) if he considers it expedient, to make such findings and to give such decision as he considers appropriate in the light of them; and

• (b) in any other case he shall refer the case to a tribunal with directions for its determination.

• (8) Subject to any direction of the Commissioner, the tribunal on a reference under subsection (7)(b) above shall consist of persons who were not members of the tribunal which gave the erroneous decision.

• (9) No appeal lies under this section without the leave—

• (a) of the person who was the chairman of the tribunal when the decision was given or, in a prescribed case, the leave of some other chairman; or

• (b) subject to and in accordance with regulations, of a Commissioner.

• (10) Regulations may make provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, appeals are to be brought and applications made for leave to appeal.

Appeal from Commissioners on point of law.

22

• (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3) below, an appeal on a question of law shall lie to the appropriate court from any decision of a Commissioner.

• (2) No appeal under this section shall lie from a decision except—

• (a) with the leave of the Commissioner who gave the decision or, in a prescribed case, with the leave of a Commissioner selected in accordance with regulations; or

• (b) if he refuses leave, with the leave of the appropriate court.

• (3) An application for leave under this section in respect of a Commissioner’s decision may only be made by—

• (a) a person who, before the proceedings before the Commissioner were begun, was entitled to appeal to the Commissioner from the decision to which the Commissioner’s decision relates;

• (b) any other person who was a party to the proceedings in which the first decision mentioned in paragraph (a) above was given;

• (c) the Department, in a case where it is not entitled to apply for leave by virtue of paragraph (a) or (b) above;

• (d) any other person who is authorised by regulations to apply for leave;

and regulations may make provision with respect to the manner in which and the time within which applications must be made to a Commissioner for leave under this section and with respect to the procedure for dealing with such applications.

• (4) On an application to a Commissioner for leave under this section it shall be the duty of the Commissioner to specify as the appropriate court—

• (a) the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland if it appears to him that the relevant place is in Northern Ireland;

• (b) the Court of Appeal if it appears to him that the relevant place is in England or Wales; and

• (c) the Court of Session if it appears to him that the relevant place is in Scotland,

except that if it appears to him, having regard to the circumstances of the case and in particular to the convenience of the persons who may be parties to the proposed appeal, that he should specify a different court mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) above as the appropriate court, it shall be his duty to specify that court as the appropriate court.

• (5) In this section—

• “the appropriate court”, except in subsection (4) above, means the court specified in pursuance of that subsection;

• “the relevant place”, in relation to an application for leave to appeal from a decision of a Commissioner, means the premises where the personor authoritywhose decision was the subject of the Commissioner’s decision usually exercises his or its functions.

• (6) The powers to make regulations conferred by this section shall be exercisable by the Lord Chancellor.

Reviews - general

Review of decisions.

23

• (1) Subject to the following provisions of this section, any decision under this Act of an adjudication officer, a social security appeal tribunal or a Commissioner (other than a decision relating to an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance) may be reviewed at any time by an adjudication officer or, on a reference by an adjudication officer, by a social security appeal tribunal, if—

• (a) the officer or tribunal is satisfied that the decision was given in ignorance of, or was based on a mistake as to, some material fact;

• (b) there has been any relevant change of circumstances since the decision was given;

• (c) it is anticipated that a relevant change of circumstances will so occur;

• (d) the decision was based on a decision of a question which under or by virtue of this Act falls to be determined otherwise than by an adjudication officer, and the decision of that question is revised; or

• (e) the decision falls to be reviewed under Article 8(6) or 9(7) of the Jobseekers (Northern Ireland) Order 1995.

• (2) Any decision of an adjudication officer (other than a decision relating to an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance) may be reviewed, upon the ground that it was erroneous in point of law, by an adjudication officer or, on a reference from an adjudication officer, by a social security appeal tribunal.

• (3) Regulations may provide that a decision may not be reviewed on the ground mentioned in subsection (1)(a) above unless the officer or tribunal is satisfied as mentioned in that paragraph by fresh evidence.

• (4) In its application to family credit, subsection (1)(b) and (c) above shall have effect subject to section 127(3) of the Contributions and Benefits Act (change of circumstances not to affect award or rate during specified period).

• (5) Where a decision is reviewed on the ground mentioned in subsection (1)(c) above, the decision given on the review—

• (a) shall take effect on the day prescribed for that purpose by reference to the date on which the relevant change of circumstances is expected to occur; and

• (b) shall be reviewed again if the relevant change of circumstances either does not occur or occurs otherwise than on that date.

Procedure for reviews.

24

• (1) A question may be raised with a view to a review under section 23 above by means of an application in writing to an adjudication officer, stating the grounds of the application.

• (2) On receipt of any such application, the adjudication officer shall proceed to deal with or refer any question arising on it in accordance with sections 19 to 21 above.

• (3) Regulations may provide for enabling, or requiring, in prescribed circumstances, a review under section 23 above notwithstanding that no application for a review has been made under subsection (1) above.

Reviews under s. 23 - supplementary.

25

• (1) Regulations—

• (a) may prescribe what are, or are not, relevant changes of circumstances for the purposes of section 23 above; and

• (b) may make provision restricting the payment of any benefit, or any increase of benefit, to which a person would, but for this subsection, be entitled by reason of a review in respect of any period before or after the review (whether that period falls wholly or partly before or after the making of the regulations).

• (2) Regulations under subsection (1)(b) above shall not restrict the payment to or for a woman of so much of—

• (a) any widow’s benefit, any incapacity benefit under section 40 of the Contributions and Benefits Act or any Category A or Category B retirement pension; or

• (b) any increase of such a benefit or pension,

as falls to be paid by reason of a review which takes place by virtue of section 23(1)(a) or (b) above in consequence of a claim for a widowhood benefit, within the meaning of section 3 above, which is made or treated as made by virtue of that section.

Appeals following reviews or refusals to review.

26

A decision given on a review under section 23 above, and a refusal to review a decision under that section, shall be subject to appeal in like manner as an original decision, and sections 19 to 21 above shall, with the necessary modifications, apply in relation to a decision given on such a review as they apply to the original decision of a question.

Review after claimant appeals.

27

Where a claimant has appealed against a decision of an adjudication officer and the decision is reviewed by an adjudication officer under section 23 above—

• (a) if the adjudication officer considers that the decision which he has made on the review is the same as the decision that would have been made on the appeal had every ground of the claimant’s appeal succeeded, the appeal shall lapse; but

• (b) in any other case, the review shall be of no effect and the appeal shall proceed accordingly.

Attendance allowance, disability living allowance and disability working allowance

Reviews of decisions of adjudication officers.

28

• (1) On an application under this section made within the prescribed period, a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above which relates to an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance may be reviewed on any ground subject, in the case of a disability working allowance, to section 128(6) of the Contributions and Benefits Act.

• (2) On an application under this section made after the end of the prescribed period, a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above which relates to an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance may be reviewed if—

• (a) the adjudication officer is satisfied that the decision was given in ignorance of, or was based on a mistake as to, some material fact;

• (b) there has been any relevant change of circumstances since the decision was given;

• (c) it is anticipated that a relevant change of circumstances will so occur;

• (d) the decision was erroneous in point of law; or

• (e) the decision was to make an award for a period wholly or partly after the date on which the claim was made or treated as made but subject to a condition being fulfilled and that condition has not been fulfilled,

but regulations may provide that a decision may not be reviewed on the ground mentioned in paragraph (a) above unless the officer is satisfied as mentioned in that paragraph by fresh evidence.

• (3) Regulations may prescribe what are, or are not, relevant changes of circumstances for the purposes of subsection (2)(b) and (c) above.

• (4) On an application under this section made after the end of the prescribed period, a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above that a person is or was at any time terminally ill for the purposes of section 66(1), 72(5) or 73(12) of the Contributions and Benefits Act may be reviewed if there has been a change of medical opinion with respect to his condition or his reasonable expectation of life.

• (5) On an application under this section made after the end of the prescribed period, a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above which relates to a disability working allowance may be reviewed if—

• (a) the adjudication officer is satisfied that the decision was given in ignorance of, or was based on a mistake as to, some material fact;

• (b) subject to section 128(6) of the Contributions and Benefits Act, there has been any prescribed change of circumstances since the decision was given;

• (c) the decision was erroneous in point of law; or

• (d) the decision was to make an award for a period wholly or partly after the date on which the claim was made or treated as made but subject to a condition being fulfilled and that condition has not been fulfilled,

but regulations may provide that a decision may not be reviewed on the ground mentioned in paragraph (a) above unless the officer is satisfied as mentioned in that paragraph by fresh evidence.

• (6) The claimant shall be given such notification as may be prescribed of a decision which may be reviewed under this section and of his right to a review under subsection (1) above.

• (7) A question may be raised with a view to a review under this section by means of an application made in writing to an adjudication officer stating the grounds of the application and supplying such information and evidence as may be prescribed.

• (7A) The Department may undertake investigations to obtain information and evidence for the purposes of making applications under subsection (7) above.

• (8) Regulations—

• (a) may provide for enabling or requiring, in prescribed circumstances, a review under this section notwithstanding that no application under subsection (7) above has been made; and

• (b) if they do so provide, shall specify under which provision of this section a review carried out by virtue of any such regulations falls.

• (9) Reviews under this section shall be carried out by adjudication officers.

• (10) Different aspects of any question which arises on such a review may be dealt with by different adjudication officers; and for this purpose this section and the other provisions of this Part of this Act which relate to reviews under this section shall apply with any necessary modifications.

• (11) If a review is under subsection (1) above, the officer who took the decision under review shall not deal with any question which arises on the review.

• (12) Except in prescribed circumstances, where a claim for a disability living allowance in respect of a person already awarded such an allowance by an adjudication officer is made or treated as made during the period for which he has been awarded the allowance, it shall be treated as an application for a review under this section.

• (13) Where—

• (a) a claim for an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance in respect of a person has been refused; and

• (b) a further claim for the same allowance is made in respect of him within the period prescribed under subsection (1) above,

the further claim shall be treated as an application for a review under that subsection.

Further reviews.

29

• (1) Subsections (2), (4) and (5) of section 28 above shall apply to a decision on a review under subsection (1) of that section as they apply to a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above but as if the words “made after the end of the prescribed period” were omitted from each subsection.

• (2) Subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of section 28 above shall apply—

• (a) to a decision on a review under subsection (2), (4) or (5) of that section; and

• (b) to a refusal to review a decision under subsection (2), (4) or (5) of that section,

as they apply to a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above.

• (3) The claimant shall be given such notification as may be prescribed—

• (a) of a decision on a review under section 28 above;

• (b) if the review was under section 28(1), of his right of appeal under section 31 below; and

• (c) if it was under section 28(2), (4) or (5), of his right to a further review under section 28(1).

Reviews of decisions as to attendance allowance, disability living allowance or disability working allowance - supplementary.

30

• (1) An award of an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance on a review under section 28 above replaces any award which was the subject of the review.

• (2) Where a person who has been awarded a disability living allowance consisting of one component applies or is treated as applying for a review under section 28 above and alleges that he is also entitled to the other component, the adjudication officer need not consider the question of his entitlement to the component which he has already been awarded or the rate of that component.

• (3) Where a person who has been awarded a disability living allowance consisting of both components applies or is treated as applying for a review under section 28 above and alleges that he is entitled to one component at a rate higher than that at which it has been awarded, the adjudication officer need not consider the question of his entitlement to the other component or the rate of that component.

• (4) Where a person has been awarded a component for life, on a review under section 28 above the adjudication officer shall not consider the question of his entitlement to that component or the rate of that component or the period for which it has been awarded unless—

• (a) the person awarded the component expressly applies for the consideration of that question; or

• (b) there has been supplied to the adjudication officer by the Department, or is otherwise available to him, information which gives him reasonable grounds for believing that entitlement to the component, or entitlement to it at the rate awarded or for that period, ought not to continue.

• (5) No decision which relates to an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance shall be reviewed under section 28 above on the ground that the person is or was at any time terminally ill, within the meaning of section 66(2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act, unless an application for review is made expressly on that ground either—

• (a) by the person himself; or

• (b) by any other person purporting to act on his behalf, whether or not that other person is acting with his knowledge or authority;

and a decision may be so reviewed on such an application, notwithstanding that no claim under section 66(1), 72(5) or 73(12) of that Act has been made.

• (6) Where a decision is reviewed under section 28 above on the ground that it is anticipated that a change of circumstances will occur, the decision given on review—

• (a) shall take effect on the day prescribed for that purpose by reference to the date on which the change of circumstances is expected to occur; and

• (b) shall be reviewed again if the change of circumstances either does not occur or occurs otherwise than on that date.

• (7) Where a claimant has appealed against a decision of an adjudication officer under section 31 below and the decision is reviewed again under section 28(2), (4) or (5) above by an adjudication officer, then—

• (a) if the adjudication officer considers that the decision which he has made on the review is the same as the decision that would have been made on the appeal had every ground of the appeal succeeded, then the appeal shall lapse; but

• (b) in any other case, the review shall be of no effect and the appeal shall proceed accordingly.

• (8) Regulations may make provision restricting the payment of any benefit, or any increase of benefit, to which a person would, but for this subsection, be entitled by reason of a review in respect of any period before or after the review (whether that period falls wholly or partly before or after the making of the regulations).

• (9) Where an adjudication officer has determined that any amount paid by way of an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance is recoverable under or by virtue of section 69 below, any person from whom he has determined that it is recoverable shall have the same right of review under section 28 above as a claimant.

• (10) This Act and the Contributions and Benefits Act shall have effect in relation to a review by virtue of subsection (9) above as if any reference to the claimant were a reference to the person from whom the adjudication officer has determined that the amount in question is recoverable.

Appeals following reviews.

31

• (1) Where an adjudication officer has given a decision on a review under section 28(1) above, the claimant or such other person as may be prescribed may appeal—

• (a) in prescribed cases, to a disability appeal tribunal; and

• (b) in any other case, to a social security appeal tribunal.

• (2) Regulations may make provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, appeals are to be brought.

• (3) An award on an appeal under this section replaces any award which was the subject of the appeal.

• (4) Where a person who has been awarded a disability living allowance consisting of one component alleges on an appeal that he is also entitled to the other component, the tribunal need not consider the question of his entitlement to the component which he has already been awarded or the rate of that component.

• (5) Where a person who has been awarded a disability living allowance consisting of both components alleges on an appeal that he is entitled to one component at a rate higher than that at which it has been awarded, the tribunal need not consider the question of his entitlement to the other component or the rate of that component.

• (6) The tribunal shall not consider—

• (a) a person’s entitlement to a component which has been awarded for life;

• (b) the rate of a component so awarded; or

• (c) the period for which a component has been so awarded,

unless—

• (i) the appeal expressly raises that question; or

• (ii) information is available to the tribunal which gives it reasonable grounds for believing that entitlement to the component, or entitlement to it at the rate awarded or for that period, ought not to continue.

Appeal from social security appeal tribunals or disability appeal tribunals to Commissioners and appeals from Commissioners.

32

• (1) Subject to the provisions of this section, an appeal lies to a Commissioner from any decision of a social security appeal tribunal or disability appeal tribunal under section 31 above on the ground that the decision of the tribunal was erroneous in point of law.

• (2) An appeal lies under this section at the instance of any of the following—

• (a) an adjudication officer;

• (b) the claimant;

• (c) a trade union—

• (i) where the claimant is a member of the union at the time of the appeal and was so immediately before the question at issue arose;

• (ii) where that question in any way relates to a deceased person who was a member of the union at the time of his death; and

• (d) a person from whom it is determined that any amount is recoverable under section 69 below.

• (3) Subsection (2) above, as it applies to a trade union, applies also to any other association which exists to promote the interests and welfare of its members.

• (4) Subsections (7) to (10) of section 21 above have effect for the purposes of this section as they have effect for the purposes of that section.

• (5) Section 22 above applies to a decision of a Commissioner under this section as it applies to a decision of a Commissioner under section 21 above.

Reviews of decisions on appeal.

33

• (1) Any decision under this Act of a social security appeal tribunal, a disability appeal tribunal or a Commissioner which relates to an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance may be reviewed at any time by an adjudication officer if—

• (a) he is satisfied that the decision was given in ignorance of, or was based on a mistake as to, some material fact;

• (b) there has been any relevant change of circumstances since the decision was given;

• (c) it is anticipated that a relevant change of circumstances will so occur;

• (d) the decision was that a person is or was at any time terminally ill for the purposes of section 66(1), 72(5) or 73(12) of the Contributions and Benefits Act and there has been a change of medical opinion with respect to his condition or his reasonable expectation of life; or

• (e) the decision was to make an award for a period wholly or partly after the date on which the claim was made or treated as made but subject to a condition being fulfilled and that condition has not been fulfilled,

but regulations may provide that a decision may not be reviewed on the ground mentioned in paragraph (a) above unless the officer is satisfied as mentioned in that paragraph by fresh evidence.

• (2) Regulations may prescribe what are, or are not, relevant changes of circumstances for the purposes of subsection (1)(b) and (c) above.

• (3) Any decision under this Act of a social security appeal tribunal, a disability appeal tribunal or a Commissioner which relates to a disability working allowance may be reviewed at any time by an adjudication officer if—

• (a) he is satisfied that the decision was given in ignorance of, or was based on a mistake as to, some material fact;

• (b) subject to section 128(6) of the Contributions and Benefits Act, there has been any prescribed change of circumstances since the decision was given; or

• (c) the decision was to make an award for a period wholly or partly after the date on which the claim was made or treated as made but subject to a condition being fulfilled and that condition has not been fulfilled,

but regulations may provide that a decision may not be reviewed on the ground mentioned in paragraph (a) above unless the officer is satisfied as mentioned in that paragraph by fresh evidence.

• (4) A question may be raised with a view to a review under this section by means of an application made in writing to an adjudication officer, stating the grounds of the application and supplying such information and evidence as may be prescribed.

• (5) Regulations may provide for enabling or requiring, in prescribed circumstances, a review under this section notwithstanding that no application for a review has been made under subsection (4) above.

• (6) Reviews under this section shall be carried out by adjudication officers.

• (7) Except in prescribed circumstances, where a claim for a disability living allowance in respect of a person already awarded such an allowance on an appeal is made or treated as made during the period for which he has been awarded the allowance, it shall be treated as an application for a review under this section.

• (8) Subsections (1), (2), (4) and (5) of section 28 above shall apply—

• (a) to a decision on a review under this section; and

• (b) to a refusal to review a decision such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above,

as they apply to a decision of an adjudication officer under section 19 above.

• (9) The person whose claim was the subject of the appeal the decision on which has been reviewed under this section shall be given such notification as may be prescribed—

• (a) of the decision on the review; and

• (b) of his right to a further review under section 28(1) above.

• (10) Regulations may make provision restricting the payment of any benefit, or any increase of benefit, to what a person would, but for this subsection, be entitled by reason of a review in respect of any period before or after the review (whether that period falls wholly or partly before or after the making of the regulations).

• (11) Where a decision is reviewed on the ground mentioned in subsection (1)(c) above, the decision given on the review—

• (a) shall take effect on the day prescribed for that purpose by reference to the date on which the relevant change of circumstances is expected to occur; and

• (b) shall be reviewed again if the relevant change of circumstances either does not occur or occurs otherwise than on that date.

• (12) Sections 28(10) and 30(1) to (5) above shall apply in relation to a review under this section as they apply to a review under section 28 above.

Questions first arising on appeal

Questions first arising on appeal.

34

• (1) Where a question which but for this section would fall to be determined by an adjudication officer first arises in the course of an appeal to a social security appeal tribunal, a disability appeal tribunal or a Commissioner, the tribunal, subject to subsection (2) below, or the Commissioner may, if they or he think fit, proceed to determine the question notwithstanding that it has not been considered by an adjudication officer.

• (2) A social security appeal tribunal may not determine a question by virtue of subsection (1) above if an appeal in relation to such a question would have lain to a disability appeal tribunal.

Reference of special questions

Reference of special questions.

35

• (1) Subject to subsection (2) below—

• (a) if on consideration of any claim or question an adjudication officer is of opinion that there arises any question which under or by virtue of this Act falls to be determined otherwise than by an adjudication officer, he shall refer the question for such determination; and

• (b) if on consideration of any claim or question a social security appeal tribunal or Commissioner is of opinion that any such question arises, the tribunal or Commissioner shall direct it to be referred by an adjudication officer for such determination.

• (2) The person or tribunal making or directing the reference shall then deal with any other question as if the referred question had not arisen.

• (3) The adjudication officer, tribunal or Commissioner may—

• (a) postpone the reference of, or dealing with, any question until other questions have been determined;

• (b) in cases where the determination of any question disposes of a claim or any part of it, make an award or decide that an award cannot be made, as to the claim or that part of it, without referring or dealing with, or before the determination of, any other question.

Adjudication officers and the Chief Adjudication Officer

Adjudication officers.

36

• (1) Adjudication officers shall be appointed by the Department, subject to the consent of the Department of Finance and Personnel as to number, and may include officers of the Department of Social Security appointed with the concurrence of the Secretary of State.

• (2) An adjudication officer may be appointed to perform all the functions of adjudication officers under any enactment or such functions of such officers as may be specified in his instrument of appointment.

The Chief Adjudication Officer.

37

• (1) The Department shall appoint for Northern Ireland a Chief Adjudication Officer.

• (2) It shall be the duty of the Chief Adjudication Officer to advise adjudication officers on the performance of their functions under this or any other enactment.

• (3) The Chief Adjudication Officer shall keep under review the operation of the system of adjudication by adjudication officers and matters connected with the operation of that system.

• (4) The Chief Adjudication Officer shall report annually in writing to the Department on the standards of adjudication and the Department shall publish his report.

Social security appeal tribunals

Panels for appointment to social security appeal tribunals.

38

• (1) The President shall constitute for the whole of Northern Ireland to act for such areas as he thinks fit and to be composed of such persons as he thinks fit to appoint, panels of persons to act as members of social security appeal tribunals.

• (2) The panel for an area shall be composed of persons appearing to the President to have knowledge or experience of conditions in the area and to be representative of persons living or working in the area.

• (3) Before appointing members of a panel, the President shall take into consideration any recommendations from such organisations or persons as he considers appropriate.

• (4) The members of the panels shall hold office for such period as the President may direct, but the President may at any time terminate the appointment of any member of a panel.

Constitution of social security appeal tribunals.

39

• (1) A social security appeal tribunal shall consist of a chairman and two other persons.

• (2) The members other than the chairman shall be drawn from the appropriate panel constituted under section 38 above.

• (3) The President shall nominate the chairman.

• (4) The President may nominate as chairman—

• (a) himself;

• (b) one of the full-time chairmen appointed under section 49(1)(b) below; or

• (c) a person drawn from the panel appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 49(1)(c) below.

• (5) If practicable, at least one of the members of the appeal tribunal hearing a case shall be of the same sex as the claimant.

• (6) Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect for supplementing this section.

Disability appeal tribunals

Panels for appointment to disability appeal tribunals.

40

• (1) The President shall constitute for the whole of Northern Ireland, to act for such areas as he thinks fit and be composed of such persons as he thinks fit to appoint, panels of persons to act as members of disability appeal tribunals.

• (2) There shall be two panels for each area.

• (3) One panel shall be composed of medical practitioners.

• (4) The other shall be composed of persons who are experienced in dealing with the needs of disabled persons—

• (a) in a professional or voluntary capacity; or

• (b) because they are themselves disabled,

but may not include medical practitioners.

• (5) In considering the appointment of members of the panels the President shall have regard to the desirability of appointing disabled persons.

• (6) Before appointing members of a panel, the President shall take into consideration any recommendations from such organisations or persons as he considers appropriate.

• (7) The members of the panels shall hold office for such periods as the President may direct, but the President may at any time terminate the appointment of any member of a panel.

Constitution of disability appeal tribunals.

41

• (1) A disability appeal tribunal shall consist of a chairman and two other persons.

• (2) Of the members of a tribunal other than the chairman, one shall be drawn from the panel mentioned in subsection (3) of section 40 above.

• (3) The other shall be drawn from the panel mentioned in subsection (4) of that section.

• (4) The President shall nominate the chairman.

• (5) The President may nominate as chairman—

• (a) himself;

• (b) one of the full-time chairmen appointed under section 49(1)(b) below; or

• (c) a person drawn from the panel appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 49(1)(c) below.

• (6) In summoning members of a panel to serve on a tribunal, the clerk to the tribunal shall have regard to the desirability of at least one of the members of the tribunal being a disabled person.

• (7) If practicable, at least one of the members of the tribunal shall be of the same sex as the claimant.

• (8) Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect for supplementing this section.

Adjudication in relation to industrial injuries and disablement benefit

Declaration that accident is an industrial accident.

42

• (1) Where, in connection with any claim for industrial injuries benefit, it is determined that the relevant accident was or was not an industrial accident, an express declaration of that fact shall be made and recorded and (subject to subsection (3) below) a claimant shall be entitled to have the question whether the relevant accident was an industrial accident determined notwithstanding that his claim is disallowed on other grounds.

• (2) Subject to subsection (3) below and to section 58 below, any person suffering personal injury by accident shall be entitled, if he claims the accident was an industrial accident, to have that question determined, and a declaration made and recorded accordingly, notwithstanding that no claim for benefit has been made in connection with which the question arises; and this Part of this Act applies for that purpose as if the question had arisen in connection with a claim for benefit.

• (3) The adjudication officer, social security appeal tribunal or Commissioner (as the case may be) may refuse to determine the question whether an accident was an industrial accident if satisfied that it is unlikely to be necessary to determine the question for the purposes of any claim for benefit; but any such refusal of an adjudication officer or social security appeal tribunal shall be subject to appeal to a social security appeal tribunal or Commissioner, as the case may be.

• (4) Subject to the provisions of this Part of this Act as to appeal and review, any declaration under this section that an accident was or was not an industrial accident shall be conclusive for the purposes of any claim for industrial injuries benefit in respect of that accident.

• (5) Where subsection (4) above applies—

• (a) in relation to a death occurring before 11th April 1988; or

• (b) for the purposes of section 60(2) of the Contributions and Benefits Act,

it shall have effect as if at the end there were added the words “ whether or not the claimant is the person at whose instance the declaration was made ”.

• (6) For the purposes of this section (but subject to section 58(3) below), an accident whereby a person suffers personal injury shall be deemed, in relation to him, to be an industrial accident if—

• (a) it arises out of and in the course of his employment;

• (b) that employment is employed earner’s employment for the purposes of Part V of the Contributions and Benefits Act;

• (c) payment of benefit is not under section 94(5) of that Act precluded because the accident happened while he was outside Northern Ireland.

• (7) A decision under this section shall be final except that sections 23 to 27 above apply to a decision under this section that an accident was or was not an industrial accident as they apply to a decision under sections 19 to 21 above if, but only if, the adjudication officer or social security appeal tribunal, as the case may be, is satisfied that the decision under this section was given in consequence of any wilful non-disclosure or misrepresentation of a material fact.

Disablement questions.

43

• (1) In relation to industrial injuries benefit . . ., the “disablement questions” are the questions—

• (a) . . . whether the relevant accident has resulted in a loss of faculty;

• (b) . . . at what degree the extent of disablement resulting from a loss of faculty is to be assessed, and what period is to be taken into account by the assessment;

but questions relating to the aggregation of percentages of disablement resulting from different accidents are not disablement questions (and accordingly fall to be determined by an adjudication officer).

• (2) Subject to and in accordance with regulations, the disablement questions shall be referred to and determined—

• (a) by an adjudicating medical practitioner;

• (b) by two or more adjudicating medical practitioners;

• (c) by a medical appeal tribunal; . . .

• (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

• (3) Where—

• (a) the case of a claimant for disablement benefit has been referred by the adjudication officer to one or more adjudicating medical practitioners for determination of the disablement questions; and

• (b) on that or any subsequent reference, the extent of the disablement is provisionally assessed,

the case shall again be referred under this section, to one or more adjudicating medical practitioners as regulations may provide for the purposes of such subsequent references, not later than the end of the period taken into account by the provisional assessment.

• (4) Where, in the case of a claimant for disablement benefit, the extent of any disablement of his resulting from an aggregable accident (that is to say, an accident other than the one which is the basis of the claim in question) has been assessed in accordance with paragraph 6(3) of Schedule 6 to the Contributions and Benefits Act at less than 14 per cent., then—

• (a) the adjudication officer may refer the disablement questions relating to the aggregable accident to one or more adjudicating medical practitioners for fresh determination; and

• (b) on any such reference—

• (i) those questions shall be determined as at the first day of the common period; and

• (ii) the period to be taken into account shall be the period beginning with that day.

• (5) In subsection (4) above “the first day of the common period” means whichever is the later of—

• (a) the first day of the period taken into account by the assessment of the extent of the claimant’s disablement resulting from the accident which is the basis of the claim in question;

• (b) the first day of the period taken into account by the assessment of the extent of his disablement resulting from the aggregable accident.

• (6) In the following provisions of this Act “adjudicating medical practitioner” means, in relation to any case, one such practitioner, unless regulations applicable to cases of that description provide for references to more than one.

Medical appeals and references.

44

• (1) This section has effect where the case of a claimant for disablement benefit . . . has been referred by the adjudication officer to an adjudicating medical practitioner for determination of the disablement questions.

• (2) Subject to subsection (3) below, if the claimant is dissatisfied with the decision of the adjudicating medical practitioner, he may appeal in the prescribed manner and within the prescribed time, and the case shall be referred to a medical appeal tribunal.

• (3) If—

• (a) the Department notifies the adjudication officer within the prescribed time that it is of the opinion that any decision of the adjudicating medical practitioner ought to be considered by a medical appeal tribunal; or

• (b) the adjudication officer is of the opinion that any such decision ought to be so considered,

the adjudication officer shall refer the case to a medical appeal tribunal for their consideration, and the tribunal may confirm, reverse or vary the decision in whole or in part as on an appeal.

Review of medical decisions.

45

• (1) Any decision under this Act of an adjudicating medical practitioner or a medical appeal tribunal may be reviewed at any time by an adjudicating medical practitioner if satisfied that the decision was given in ignorance of a material fact or was based on a mistake as to a material fact.

• (2) Any decision under this Act of an adjudicating medical practitioner may be reviewed at any time by such a practitioner if he is satisfied that the decision was erroneous in point of law.

• (3) Regulations may provide that a decision may not be reviewed under subsection (1) above unless the adjudicating medical practitioner is satisfied as mentioned in that subsection by fresh evidence.

• (4) Any assessment of the extent of the disablement resulting from the relevant loss of faculty may also be reviewed by an adjudicating medical practitioner if he is satisfied that since the making of the assessment there has been an unforeseen aggravation of the results of the relevant injury.

• (5) Where in connection with a claim for disablement benefit made after 20th October 1953 it is decided that the relevant accident has not resulted in a loss of faculty, the decision—

• (a) may be reviewed under subsection (4) above as if it were an assessment of the extent of disablement resulting from a relevant loss of faculty; but

• (b) subject to any further decision on appeal or review, shall be treated as deciding the question whether the relevant accident had so resulted both for the time about which the decision was given and for any subsequent time.

• (6) For the purposes of subsection (5) above, a final assessment of the extent of the disablement resulting from a loss of faculty made for a period limited by reference to a definite date shall be treated as deciding that at that date the relevant accident had not resulted in a loss of faculty.

• (7) An assessment made, confirmed or varied by a medical appeal tribunal shall not be reviewed under subsection (4) above without the leave of a medical appeal tribunal, and (notwithstanding the provisions of Part V of the Contributions and Benefits Act) on a review under that subsection the period to be taken into account by any revised assessment shall only include a period before the date of the application for the review if and in so far as regulations so provide.

• (8) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this section, an adjudicating medical practitioner may deal with a case on a review in any manner in which he could deal with it on an original reference to him, and in particular may in any case relating to disablement benefit make a provisional assessment notwithstanding that the assessment under review was final.

• (9) Section 44 above applies to an application for a review under this section and to a decision of an adjudicating medical practitioner in connection with such an application as it applies to an original claim for disablement benefit . . . and to a decision of an adjudicating medical practitioner in connection with such a claim.

• (10) In subsection (6) above the reference to a final assessment does not include an assessment made for the purpose of section 12(1)(a) or (b) of the National Insurance (Industrial Injuries) Act (Northern Ireland) 1946 as originally enacted and having the effect that benefit is not payable.

Appeal etc. on question of law to Commissioner.

46

• (1) Subject to this section, an appeal lies to a Commissioner from any decision of a medical appeal tribunal (if given after 6th April 1987) on the ground that the decision is erroneous in point of law, at the instance of—

• (a) an adjudication officer;

• (b) the claimant;

• (c) a trade union of which the claimant was a member at the time of the relevant accident . . .; or

• (d) the Department.

• (2) Subsection (1) above, as it applies to a trade union, applies also to any other association which exists to promote the interests and welfare of its members.

• (3) No appeal lies under subsection (1) above without the leave—

• (a) of the person who was the chairman of the medical appeal tribunal when the decision was given or, in a prescribed case, the leave of some other chairman of a medical appeal tribunal; or

• (b) subject to and in accordance with regulations, of a Commissioner,

and regulations may make provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, appeals are to be brought and applications made for leave to appeal.

• (4) On any such appeal, the question of law arising for the decision of the Commissioner and the facts on which it arises shall be submitted for his consideration in the prescribed manner.

• (5) Where the Commissioner holds that the decision was erroneous in point of law he shall set it aside and refer the case to a medical appeal tribunal with directions for its determination.

• (6) Subject to any direction of the Commissioner, the tribunal on a reference under subsection (5) above shall consist of persons who were not members of the tribunal which gave the erroneous decision.

Adjudicating medical practitioners and medical appeal tribunals

Adjudicating medical practitioners.

47

• (1) Adjudicating medical practitioners shall be appointed by the Department.

• (2) The Department may make arrangements whereby any adjudicating medical practitioners for the purposes of the Great Britain Administration Act shall be adjudicating medical practitioners for the purposes of this Act.

• (3) Subject to subsections (1) and (2) above, the appointment of adjudicating medical practitioners shall be determined by regulations.

Constitution of medical appeal tribunals.

48

• (1) A medical appeal tribunal shall consist of a chairman and two other persons.

• (2) The members other than the chairman shall be medical practitioners appointed by the President after consultation with such academic medical bodies as appear to him to be appropriate.

• (3) The President shall nominate the chairman.

• (4) The President may nominate as chairman—

• (a) himself;

• (b) one of the full-time chairmen appointed under section 49(1)(b) below; or

• (c) a person drawn from the panel appointed by the Lord Chancellor under section 49(1)(c) below.

• (5) The Department may make arrangements whereby a medical appeal tribunal for the purposes of the Great Britain Administration Act shall be a medical appeal tribunal for the purposes of this Act.

• (6) Subject to subsections (1) to (4) above, the constitution of medical appeal tribunals shall be determined by regulations.

• (7) Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect for supplementing this section.

The President and chairmen of tribunals

The President of social security appeal tribunals, medical appeal tribunals and disability appeal tribunals and chairmen.

49

• (1) The Lord Chancellor may appoint for Northern Ireland—

• (a) a President of social security appeal tribunals, medical appeal tribunals and disability appeal tribunals;

• (b) full-time chairmen of such tribunals; and

• (c) a panel of persons who may be appointed part-time chairmen of such tribunals.

• (2) A person is qualified to be appointed President if he is a barrister or solicitor of at least 10 years’ standing.

• (3) A person is qualified to be appointed a full-time chairman if he is a barrister or solicitor of at least 7 years’ standing.

• (4) A person is qualified to be appointed to the panel referred to in subsection (1)(c) above if he is a barrister or solicitor of at least 5 years’ standing.

• (5) Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect for supplementing this section.

Social Security Commissioners

Appointment of Commissioners.

50

• (1) Her Majesty may from time to time appoint for Northern Ireland, from among persons who are barristers or solicitors of at least 10 years’ standing—

• (a) a Chief Social Security Commissioner; and

• (b) other Social Security Commissioners.

• (2) In order to facilitate the disposal of the business of Social Security Commissioners, the Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission may appoint —

• (a) a member of the bar of Northern Ireland or solicitor of the Court of Judicature of Northern Ireland of at least 10 years’ standing;

• (b) a person who has a 10 year general qualification within the meaning of section 71 of the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990; or

• (c) an advocate or solicitor in Scotland of at least 10 years’ standing,

to be a Social Security Commissioner (but to be known as a deputy Commissioner) for such period or on such occasions as the Commission determines with the agreement of the Department of Justice.

• (3) Schedule 2 to this Act shall have effect for supplementing this section.

References to medical practitioners, the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board etc.

Power of adjudicating authorities to refer matters to experts.

51

• (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 60 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 Department.

• (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.

Claims relating to attendance allowance, disability living allowance and disability working allowance.

52

• (1) Before a claim for an attendance allowance, a disability living allowance or a disability working allowance or any question relating to such an allowance is submitted to an adjudication officer under section 18 above the Department may refer the person in respect of whom the claim is made or the question is raised to a medical practitioner for such examination and report as appears to the Department to be necessary—

• (a) for the purpose of providing the adjudication officer with information for use in determining the claim or question; or

• (b) for the purpose of general monitoring of claims for attendance allowances, disability living allowances and disability working allowances.

• (2) An adjudication officer may refer—

• (a) a person in respect of whom such a claim is made or such a question is raised;

• (b) a person in respect of whom an application for a review under section 28 or 33 above has been made or is treated as having been made,,

to a medical practitioner for such examination and report as appears to the adjudication officer to be needed to enable him to reach a decision on the claim or question or the matter under review.

• (3) The Department may direct adjudication officers to refer for advice to a medical practitioner who is an officer of the Department any case falling within a specified class of cases relating to attendance allowance or disability living allowance, and an adjudication officer may refer for advice any case relating to attendance allowance or disability living allowance to such a medical practitioner without such a direction.

• (4) An adjudication officer may refer for advice any case relating to disability working allowance to such a medical practitioner.

• (5) A medical practitioner who is an officer of the Department and to whom a case or question relating to an attendance allowance or a disability living allowance is referred under section 51 above or subsection (3) above may refer the case or question to the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for advice.

• (6) Such a medical practitioner may obtain information about such a case or question from another medical practitioner.

• (7) A medical practitioner who is an officer of the Department and to whom a question relating to disability working allowance is referred under section 51 above may obtain information about it from another medical practitioner.

• (7A) Any reference in subsections (3) to (7) above to a medical practitioner who is an officer of the Department includes a reference to a medical practitioner who is provided by any person in pursuance of a contract entered into with the Department.

• (8) Where—

• (a) the Department has exercised the power conferred on it by subsection (1) above or an adjudication officer has exercised the power conferred on him by subsection (2) above; and

• (b) the medical practitioner requests the person referred to him to attend for or submit himself to medical examination; but

• (c) he fails without good cause to do so,

the adjudication officer shall decide the claim or question or matter under review against him.

Medical examination etc. in relation to appeals to disability appeal tribunals.

53

• (1) Where an appeal has been brought under section 31 above, a person who may be nominated as chairman of a disability appeal tribunal may, if prescribed conditions are satisfied, refer the claimant to a medical practitioner for such examination and report as appears to him to be necessary for the purpose of providing a disability appeal tribunal with information for use in determining the appeal.

• (2) At a hearing before a disability appeal tribunal, except in prescribed circumstances, the tribunal —

• (a) may not carry out a physical examination of the claimant; and