§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the practice of tribunals in cases where a notice of appeal against the decision of an adjudication officer is made orally by a claimant.
§ Mr. PortilloUnder regulation 3(1) of the Social Security (Adjudication) Regulations 1986, appeals to tribunals against adjudication officers' decisions must be in writing. Where an appeal is made verbally, it cannot be accepted as an appeal, and the claimant is advised to lodge a written appeal. Where such an appeal is subsequently received it is treated as though it had been lodged on the date of the original verbal appeal.