Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

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1. Overview

You may be able to appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) if you think there was a legal mistake with a decision made against you by certain lower tribunals and organisations.

You might be able to appeal if your case was about:

  • social security or child support
  • war pensions and armed forces compensation
  • mental health
  • special education needs or disabilities
  • a dispute that was heard by the General Regulatory Chamber
  • a decision made by the Disclosure and Barring Service
  • a decision made by the Traffic Commissioner (or the Transport Regulation Unit in Northern Ireland)

There are also other cases that the tribunal deals with.

There’s a different process if your case is about criminal injuries compensation.

The tribunal is independent of government and will listen to both sides of the argument before making a decision.

You’ll need to apply to Northern Ireland commissioners if your case was heard in Northern Ireland and was about social security or war pensions.

Get help with your appeal

You can read more detail about the appeal process.

You may also be able to get free legal advice from Citizens Advice or help from Welfare Rights if you’re in Scotland.

Contact the tribunal

England and Wales

adminappeals@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 020 7071 5662
Fax: 0870 324 0028
Find out about call charges

Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
5th floor
7 Rolls Buildings
Fetter Lane
London
EC4A 1NL

Scotland

UTAACMailbox@justice.gov.uk
Telephone: 0131 271 4310
Fax: 0131 271 4398
Find out about call charges

Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
George House
126 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4HH

Northern Ireland

tribunalsunit@courtsni.gov.uk
Telephone: 028 9072 4848
Find out about call charges

Tribunal Hearing Centre
2nd floor
Royal Courts of Justice
Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JF

2. How to appeal

You may have to ask for permission to appeal - it depends on your case.

If you’re appealing a decision made by another tribunal

You must get permission to appeal.

First ask the tribunal who made the decision for permission to appeal. You usually have to do this within 28 days of the decision - speak to that tribunal to find out the deadline.

Once you have permission, download and fill in the relevant appeal form. Send it to the address on the form within 1 month of getting permission.

If you’re refused permission

You can ask the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) for permission directly using the relevant permission form. Send it to the address on the form within 1 month of being refused.

If you’re appealing a decision made by an organisation

You will not need to ask for permission to appeal (unless you’re appealing a decision made by Disclosure and Barring Service).

Appeal using the relevant appeal form and send it to the address on the form.

Appealing a Disclosure and Barring Service decision

You’ll need to ask the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber) for permission before you can appeal.

Use the relevant permission form and send it to the address on the form.

3. How your case will be decided

A judge will make a decision using:

  • your appeal form
  • the documents you’ve provided
  • the documents used by the lower tribunal or organisation that decided your case

The decision will be sent to you by post.

Attending a hearing

In certain cases you may be asked to attend a hearing to present your case. You can also ask for a hearing when you apply - the judge will decide if it’s necessary.

You’ll be told the time and date of the hearing and where it’s being held. You’ll usually be told at least 14 days beforehand if there’s going to be a hearing. Hearings can be held sooner than this under exceptional circumstances or if all parties agree to a shorter notice period.

You’ll be sent instructions on how to prepare and what documents you’ll need to provide.

If you or your witness or representative is outside the UK and wants to give live video or audio evidence, contact the tribunal to request it. Tell the tribunal what country you, the witness or representative is in and what type of evidence is being given. You must do this as soon as possible.

Getting a time extension

You may be able to get a time extension if you need more time to prepare - ask the judge.

You must have a good reason, for example you’re having problems finding a document or you’re ill.

4. If you lose your case

You may be able to appeal to a higher court if you think there was a legal mistake made by the tribunal.

Get legal help or advice if you’re not sure about this.

Ask for permission

You must write to the tribunal and ask for permission before you appeal.

You must do this within one month of getting the decision (or 3 months for social security, child support, or war pensions and armed forces cases).

England and Wales

Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
5th Floor Rolls Building
7 Rolls Buildings
Fetter Lane
London
EC4A 1NL

Scotland

The Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
George House
126 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4HH

Northern Ireland

Tribunal Hearing Centre
2nd floor
Royal Courts of Justice
Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JF

Once you have permission, you should appeal to the relevant higher court:

You must do this within:

  • 28 days of being given permission (England and Wales)
  • 42 days of being given permission (Scotland)
  • 6 weeks of being given permission (Northern Ireland)

You may have to pay court fees and the other party’s costs.

If you’re refused permission

You can ask the relevant higher court for permission.

You must do this within 28 days of being refused permission in England and Wales.

The time limits are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland - contact the relevant tribunal office for details.

5. Legislation and previous decisions

Read the rules the tribunal must follow and its decisions on previous cases.

Previous decisions

Search the decisions database to see how and why previous decisions have been made.

Legislation

The tribunal must follow the rules and process set out in The Tribunal Procedure (Upper Tribunal) Rules 2008.