NOTE
44. W e add one further observation. As a consequence of the amendments made by the 2007 Act, a person authorised by a designated qualifying regulator can make oral submissions before a tribunal sitting in Scotland or Northern Ireland only by remote means. Special considerations have applied during the pandemic, when numerous hearings have been held by remote means for no reason other than the desirability of avoiding physical co-location. In more normal circumstances, however, and as the Senior Judiciary have made clear, the norm is for proceedings to be in person, in court. No doubt there will be reasons why in an individual case proceedings should be dealt with remotely, or partially remotely. But in an appeal whose natural base is in Scotland or Northern Ireland, we do not envisage that instructing a person authorised only by a designated qualifying regulator should be regarded as a good reason to have a remote or partially remote hearing when but for that fact the hearing would be fully in person, in court. There are ample facilities for representation by those authorised by approved regulators, who can appear in person in tribunals in Scotland and Northern Ireland. C.M.G. Ockelton C. M. G. OCKELTON VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UPPER TRIBUNAL IMMIGRATION AND ASYLUM CHAMBER Date: 5 January 2022