Article 5

In the Arrangement of Rules, after rule 5, there shall be inserted the words—

“

5A

Review of appeal documents.”.

After rule 5 there shall be added the following new rule—

“ Review of appeal documents

5A

(1)

After receipt by the Pensions Appeal Office of the documents mentioned in rule 5(6), the President, or a member of the tribunal nominated for the purpose by the Lord Chancellor, may review the documents and may, if he thinks fit exercise the powers given to the tribunal—

(a)

under rule 14 to require further information to be obtained or further evidence to be procured or produced; or

(b)

under rule 15 to take the opinion of a medical specialist or other technical expert, and

paragraphs (1) to (3) of rule 14 and paragraphs (1) to (3) of rule 15 shall apply with any necessary modifications.

(2)

After reviewing the documents mentioned in paragraph (1) above, the President or the member of the tribunal so nominated, as the case may be, may without prejudice to the application of rule 32 give such directions as he thinks fit on any matter arising in connection with the appeal.”.