Postponement of onsite oral hearing before the International Protection Appeals Tribunal
As you will be aware the Government announced, on the 22nd December 2020, that from midnight on 24th December until 12th January 2021, Level 5 COVID-19 restrictions will apply nationally.
In light of the announced restrictions the International Protection Appeals Tribunal will not be in a position to facilitate on site hearings up to, and including, Thursday 14th January 2021. The Tribunal will review the situation on the 12th of January 2021 and will be guided by any further Government announcements on COVID-19 restrictions.
A communication will issue to each legal representative/appellant directly with regard to the postponement of affected hearing. Where suitable, the Tribunal is now in a position to conduct some appeal hearings by way of audio-video link using the web conferencing platform – Webex. The Tribunal will be in direct contact with legal representatives and appellants in each affected appeal case where an audio-video hearing may be suitable.
It is also open to appellants to withdraw their request for an oral hearing and to have their appeal dealt with on the papers, if the Tribunal Member assigned to determine their appeal is of the opinion that such a course of action is in accordance with fair procedures and natural justice. Again the Tribunal will be in direct contact with legal representatives and appellants in each affected case.