Time limit for issuing Upper Tribunal judgments?

The client had an Upper Tribunal hearing (HB matter) in October 2019 with reserved judgment. The judge has not yet produced his judgment. Several polite reminders have been sent to HMCTS Admin office but (apart from the issues of remote working) can only say that the “file is still with the judge”. The judge may have been ill. Counsel is concerned but has not intervened. Can anyone advise on what the client should do next? Does anyone know if there is a codified time limit or time limit by convention?

There is no time limit as such. Occasional JCIO investigations have seen judges reprimanded where delays were “excessive” but there is little clarity on what exactly that means.

I would suggest emailing the tribunal and asking that a manager or a registrar looks into this and gets back to you. It may at least draw out any particular reasons for delay e.g. if the judge is ill or whatever.

If Elliot’s suggestion doesn’t work, or if you don’t get a quick reply, write to the Chamber President:

Mrs Justice Farbey
5th floor
Rolls Building
Fetter Lane
London EC4A 1NL
email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Seven months is clearly excessive to wait for a decision. If the judge is out of action for some good reason the Chamber President ought to consider a rehearing before a different judge.

I’d iamgine there’s a lot of cases stayed behind this one, might be worth pointing that out…

Thank you everyone, we now have the judgement - see the Housing Costs forum.