Office of Public Sector Information
Section 57.
1 In this Schedule “competent tribunal” means—
(a) a Commissioner;
(b) a social security appeal tribunal;
(c) a disability appeal tribunal;
(d) a medical appeal tribunal;
(e) an adjudicating medical practitioner.
2 Provision prescribing the procedure to be followed in connection with the consideration and determination of claims and questions by the Department, an adjudication officer or a competent tribunal, or in connection with the withdrawal of a claim.
3 Provision as to the striking out of proceedings for want of prosecution.
4 Provision as to the form which is to be used for any document, the evidence which is to be required and the circumstances in which any official record or certificate is to be sufficient or conclusive evidence.
5 Provision as to the time to be allowed—
(a) for producing any evidence; or
(b) for making an appeal.
6 Provision as to the manner in which, and the time within which, a question may be raised with a view to its decision by the Department under Part II of this Act or with a view to the review of a decision under that Part.
7 Provision for summoning persons to attend and give evidence or produce documents and for authorising the administration of oaths to witnesses.
8 Provision for authorising a competent tribunal consisting of two or more members to proceed with any case, with the consent of the claimant, in the absence of any member.
9 Provision for giving the chairman of a competent tribunal consisting of two or more members a second or casting vote where the number of members present is an even number.
10 Provision empowering the chairman of a social security appeal tribunal, a disability appeal tribunal or a medical appeal tribunal to give directions for the disposal of any purported appeal which he is satisfied that the tribunal does not have jurisdiction to entertain.
11 Provision for the non-disclosure to a person of the particulars of any medical advice or medical evidence given or submitted for the purposes of a determination.
12 Provision for requiring or authorising the Department to hold, or to appoint a person to hold, an inquiry in connection with the consideration of any question by the Department.
Section 117.
A civil servant in—
the Department;
the Department of Social Security;
the Northern Ireland Court Service.
A member or officer of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue.
The Chief Adjudication Officer.
An adjudication officer.
The clerk to, or other officer or member of the staff of, any of the following bodies—
a social security appeal tribunal;
a disability appeal tribunal;
a medical appeal tribunal;
a vaccine damage tribunal;
a Pensions Appeal Tribunal constituted under the [1943 c. 39.] Pensions Appeal Tribunals Act 1943.
A member of the Disability Living Allowance Advisory Board for Northern Ireland.
An officer or servant of that Board.
The chairman or deputy chairman of the Occupational Pensions Board.
A member of that Board.
A member of the staff of that Board.
The social fund Commissioner.
A social fund officer.
A social fund inspector.
A member of any staff employed in connection with the social fund.
An officer or other member of the staff of—
the former Supplementary Benefits Commission for Northern Ireland;
the former National Assistance Board for Northern Ireland;
the former Attendance Allowance Board for Northern Ireland.
A benefit officer.
An insurance officer.
A supplement officer.
1 (1) The reference in Part I of this Schedule to the Department is a reference to the Department only to the extent that it carries out functions relating to social security or occupational or personal pension schemes.
(2) The reference in Part I of this Schedule to the Department includes a reference to the Department when styled—
(a) the Ministry of Health and Social Services for Northern Ireland, or
(b) the Ministry of Labour and National Insurance for Northern Ireland,
and to any former government department, but only (in each case) to the extent mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above.
2 The reference in Part I of this Schedule to the Department of Social Security shall be construed subject to paragraph 1 of Part II of Schedule 3 to the Great Britain Administration Act.
3 The reference in Part I of this Schedule to the Northern Ireland Court Service is a reference to that Service only to the extent that the functions carried out relate to functions of the Chief, or any other, Social Security Commissioner.
4 The reference in Part I of this Schedule to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue is a reference to those Commissioners only to the extent that the functions carried out by them or any officer of theirs relate to—
(a) any of the following aspects of social security—
(i) National Insurance contributions;
(ii) statutory sick pay;
(iii) statutory maternity pay; or
(b) the tax treatment of occupational or personal pension schemes.
Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992