Social Security Act 1998

4(1)In relation to any time before the commencement of section 14(7) of this Act, section 23 of the Administration Act (appeal from social security appeal tribunal to Commissioner) shall have effect as if—

(a)after subsection (6) there were inserted the following subsection—

“(6A)If each of the principal parties to the appeal expresses the view that the decision appealed against was erroneous in point of law, the Commissioner may set aside the decision and refer the case to a tribunal with directions for its determination.

In this subsection “principal parties” means—

(a)in a case relating to statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay, the persons mentioned in subsection (2)(a), (b) and (c) above;

(b)in any other case—

(i)the persons mentioned in subsection (3)(a) and (b) above; and

(ii)where applicable, the person mentioned in subsection (3)(d) and such a person as is first mentioned in subsection (4) of that section.”; and

(b)in subsection (8), for the words “subsection (7)(b) above” there were substituted the words “subsection (6A) or (7)(b) above”.

(2)In relation to any such time, section 34 of that Act (appeal from social security appeal tribunals or disability appeal tribunals to Commissioners etc.) shall have effect as if, in subsection (4), for the words “(7) to (10) of section 23” there were substituted the words “(6A) to (10) of section 23”.

(3)In relation to any such time, section 48 of that Act (appeal etc. on question of law to Commissioner) shall have effect as if—

(a)after subsection (4) there were inserted the following subsection—

“(4A)If each of the principal parties to the appeal expresses the view that the decision appealed against was erroneous in point of law, the Commissioner may set aside the decision and refer the case to a medical appeal tribunal with directions for its determination.

In this subsection “principal parties” means the persons mentioned in subsection (1)(a), (b) and (d) above.”; and

(b)in subsection (6), for the words “subsection (5) above” there were substituted the words “subsection (4A) or (5) above”.