802.Paragraph 8 sets out the powers of the Commissioner and who may appeal to the Commissioner, on what grounds, when and how. This paragraph mirrors provisions of section 14 of the Social Security Act 1998. It is intended that the regulations made under that section, which are contained in the Social Security Commissioners (Procedure) Regulations 1999, would be amended where necessary to take account of HB/CTB.
Sub-paragraph (1) provides a right of appeal from any decision of an appeal tribunal to a Commissioner on the ground that the decision of the tribunal was erroneous in point of law.
Sub-paragraph (2) specifies that the persons who have a right of appeal to a Commissioner are the Secretary of State, the local authority against whose decision the appeal to the appeal tribunal was brought and a person affected by that decision.
Sub-paragraph (3) provides that a Commissioner may set aside a decision of an appeal tribunal and refer the case to another tribunal for a fresh determination, provided all the principal parties to the appeal express the view that the original decision was erroneous in point of law.
Sub-paragraph (4) provides for a Commissioner to set aside a decision of an appeal tribunal where he holds that the decision appealed against was erroneous in point of law.
Sub-paragraph (5) enables the Commissioner, where he has set aside an appeal tribunal's decision under sub-paragraph (4): (a) to give the decision he considers the tribunal should have given, if he can do so without making fresh or further findings of fact; (b) to make such findings of fact and, in the light of them, to give the decision he considers appropriate; or (c) to refer the case to a tribunal with directions for its determination.
Sub-paragraph (6) provides that references made under sub-paragraphs (3) or (5) shall be to an appeal tribunal differently constituted from the tribunal which gave the original decision, unless otherwise directed by the Commissioner.
Sub-paragraph (7) provides for leave to appeal to be given by the person who constituted, or was the chairman of, the tribunal when the decision was given, or, in prescribed cases, by another person prescribed in regulations or by a Commissioner.
Sub-paragraph (8) provides for regulations to make provision as to the manner and time in which appeals and applications for leave to appeal should be made.
Part III: Social Security Administration Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Schedule 7 Paragraph 8: Appeal from tribunal to Commissioner