Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

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If you lose your case

You may be able to appeal to a higher court if you think there was a legal mistake made by the tribunal.

Get legal help or advice if you’re not sure about this.

Ask for permission

You must write to the tribunal and ask for permission before you appeal.

You must do this within one month of getting the decision (or 3 months for social security, child support, or war pensions and armed forces cases).

England and Wales

Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
5th Floor Rolls Building
7 Rolls Buildings
Fetter Lane
London
EC4A 1NL

Scotland

The Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)
George House
126 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 4HH

Northern Ireland

Tribunal Hearing Centre
2nd floor
Royal Courts of Justice
Chichester Street
Belfast
BT1 3JF

Once you have permission, you should appeal to the relevant higher court:

You must do this within:

  • 28 days of being given permission (England and Wales)
  • 42 days of being given permission (Scotland)
  • 6 weeks of being given permission (Northern Ireland)

You may have to pay court fees and the other party’s costs.

If you’re refused permission

You can ask the relevant higher court for permission.

You must do this within 28 days of being refused permission in England and Wales.

The time limits are different in Scotland and Northern Ireland - contact the relevant tribunal office for details.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Challenge and appeal a benefit decision: step by step

  1. Step 1 Find support and advice

    You can get free support and advice from:

    1. You can also seek advice from a legal adviser or solicitor

  2. Step 2 Ask for mandatory reconsideration

    1. Ask for the benefits decision to be looked at again (mandatory reconsideration)

    You normally need to do this within one month of the date on your decision letter.

  3. Step 3 Appeal the decision to a tribunal

    If you’re unhappy with the decision after mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal it to a tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal

  4. Step 4 Ask for the tribunal's decision to be 'set aside' (cancelled)

    If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for it to be set aside (cancelled). The decision letter from the tribunal will tell you how to do this.

  5. or Appeal the tribunal's decision

    If you think the decision was wrong for a legal reason, you can appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Appeal to the Upper Tribunal (Administrative Appeals Chamber)

  6. and Check if you can get legal aid

    You may be eligible for legal aid to help you appeal to the Upper Tribunal.

    1. Check if you can get legal aid