A client lodged a complaint with the Regional Tribunal Judge regarding the conduct and aggressive questioning techniques of the FT Tribunal on his ESA appeal.

A request for a written Statement of Reasons (SOR) was made at the same time by his CAB representative.

A reply has been received from the Regional Tribunal Judge asking for more specific details.

At the same time the SOR has been received, and the final paragraph contains a response by the FTT Judge to the issues raised in the complaint.

My question is whether this constitues grounds to have the decision set aside, or for appeal to the Upper Tribunal? I feel it was unfair and not correct for the FTT Judge to have sight of the letter of complaint BEFORE he drafted the SOR.

It is not at all uncommon for a letter of complaint to be treated (on direction from a DTJ) as a request for a written statement of reasons, if it raised issues about the hearing.

Thank you Ariadne.