Asked by: Lord Craig of Radley (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce direct lodgement for all appeals to the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber; and if so, (1) how, and (2) when, it will be implemented.
Answered by Lord Wolfson of Tredegar
As part of the reform within the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber, the Ministry of Justice will continue to work closely with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to explore options for introducing Direct Lodgement for all appeals. This is part of the Government’s £1 billion investment to reform our courts and tribunals system. Our programme will improve the service provided to users by building a modern system for administering justice which will benefit all users.
Asked by: Lord Craig of Radley (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the consultation on <i>Transforming our Justice System: panel composition in tribunals, </i>whether they intend to preserve the use of tripartite panels, including Service members, in War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Appeals.
Answered by Lord Henley
The government is consulting on proposals to amend existing legislation to provide the Senior President of Tribunals with greater flexibility in his determination of panel composition in the unified tribunals, including the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Tribunal.
We believe our proposals will lead to a more proportionate, targeted approach to panel composition, with non-legal members being used in cases where their knowledge or expertise is really needed.
Decisions on the composition of tribunal panels are, and will continue to be, made by the Senior President of Tribunals independently of my department.