Upper Tribunal Chamber President issues Direction to stay all tribunal proceedings for 21 days

Response to coronavirus also advises that all time limits in any current proceedings should be extended over the same period

The Upper Tribunals Administrative Appeals Chamber President Dame Judith Farbey has issued a Direction to stay all tribunal proceedings for a period of 21 days.

In ‘Information and Direction for general stay and extension of time’, the Upper Tribunal President advises that, as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Upper Tribunal offices in London have been closed until further notice and no phone calls will be answered. In addition, the President advises that any urgent applications and/or correspondence will be considered but must be sent by email to adminappeals@justice.gov.uk and marked ‘Urgent”.

In relation to ongoing proceedings, the President directs -

With immediate effect, all proceedings are stayed (put on hold) for a period of 21 days beginning with the date of these Directions, and -

(a) All time limits in any current proceedings are extended by the same period; and

(b) All time limits for making applications and appeals to the Chamber, to begin proceedings, are also extended by the same period.

In addition, the President directs that all hearings listed to be held in the 21 day period will not go ahead (unless already arranged for a remote hearing).

NB - the guidance adds to that given in a Statement on contingency arrangements that provides guidance on face to face and remote hearings during the coronavirus outbreak, issued by the President on 20 March 2020.

Information and Direction for general stay and extension of time is available from judiciary.uk