The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) Nicholas Kissen Thomas Frith Islington Leaseholders Association 12 th June 2013

The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal The Leasehold Valuation Tribunal (Procedure) (England) Regulations 2003 Very limited powers Will still remain in Wales for the time being

But on 1 st July 2013 get ready for…. The introduction of the First-tier Tribunal(Property Chamber) Still at 10 Alfred Place, London WC1E 7LR Siobhan McGrath appointed as President of the Property Chamber - now a Judge New application forms And a new set of procedural rules to replace the 2003 Regulations

The rules can be found in The Tribunal Procedure (First-tier Tribunal) (Property Chamber) Rules 2013 The rules can be downloaded from Six parts and 56 sections Not all relevant to residential leasehold property work

The over-riding objective Must be considered when exercising powers and interpreting the rules To deal with cases fairly and justly Proportionality Avoiding unnecessary formality Seeking flexibility Using special expertise of Tribunal effectively Avoiding delay So far as compatible with proper consideration of the issues

Alternative dispute resolution Where appropriate Tribunal should Bring to parties’ attention the availability of ADR Facilitate the use of ADR If the parties wish Provided compatible with over-riding objective

Case management powers Extend/shorten time Consolidate proceedings Permit/require amendments Permit/require production of Documents Information Submissions Direct enquiries be made of a person Require party to state whether Will be represented and Intending to call evidence

Case management powers Deal with preliminary issues Decide form of hearing Adjourn/postpone hearing Require a party to produce Hearing bundle Time estimate Stay proceedings Transfer to another jurisdiction Court Tribunal Suspend effect of decision pending appeal

Failure to comply Tribunal may Waive the requirement Require remedy Strike out a case Refer to Upper Tribunal to exercise powers Make a witness give evidence Facilitate inspection Bar/restrict participation

Striking out Rules apply to both Applicants and Respondents the latter in the form of a bar to participation in the proceedings Automatic strike out Non-compliance with requirement that states failure will lead to striking out May strike out for Breach of requirement Failure to co-operate Where prevents Tribunal dealing fairly and justly Tribunal considers no reasonable prospect of Applicant’s case, or part of it, succeeding

Fees Where required fee not paid Tribunal must not proceed with case until payment If fee remains unpaid for 14 days from due date Case deemed withdrawn

Costs Tribunal may make costs order if a person has acted unreasonably in bringing defending conducting proceedings Application may be made at any time during proceedings but not later than 28 days after disposal of all issues Assessment Summary By Tribunal Detailed By Tribunal or County Court

Disclosure and evidence May direct exchange of relevant documents and inspection May allow expert evidence May order single joint expert Limit number of witnesses Admit/exclude evidence Require evidence on oath Disclosure limited that what could be required in court proceedings

Summons/order for witness evidence On application Tribunal may By summons require a party to attend as a witness Order a witness to produce documents in their possession Limited to what could be required in a court

Expert evidence Over-riding obligation of the expert to the Tribunal No party can produce expert evidence without the Tribunal’s consent Expert evidence given in form of written report unless Tribunal directs otherwise Requirements of expert’s report

Hearings Must be held before Tribunal makes decision unless all parties agrees this is unnecessary Tribunal must give reasonable notice of the hearing Time Place Hearings generally should be in public May proceed in absence of a party if In the interests of justice to do so and The party has been served notice that the hearing will take place

Correcting and setting aside decisions Tribunal may review and/or set aside its own decision If in the interests of justice to do so Tribunal may order a stay on implementing decision pending an appeal

Transfer to Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Tribunal may refer a case to President of the Property Chamber Request case be considered for transfer to Upper Tribunal (Lands Chamber) Transfer may take place with concurrence of President of the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal President may only direct transfer if considers issues likely to be further appealed and Will require lengthy/complex evidence or a lengthy hearing Involve complex/important principle/issue Involve a large financial sum