Social Security Tribunal: re-appointment of Chair
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STATES OF JERSEY
SOCIAL SECURITY TRIBUNAL: RE-
APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR
Lodged au Greffe on 9th October 2025 by the Minister for Social Security
Earliest date for debate: 11th November 2025
STATES GREFFE
2025 P.78
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion −
to re-appoint, in accordance with Article 33A of the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974, further to a process overseen by the Jersey Appointments Commission, the following person as Chair of the Social Security Tribunal for the period stated against their name–
Advocate Simon Thomas – 4 years MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY
REPORT
- Background
Article 8 of the Social Security (Determination of Claims and Questions) (Jersey) Order 1974 provides for the constitution of the Social Security Tribunal.
The Social Security Tribunal (“SST”) has been in place since 1974 and hears appeals on a range of benefits under the Social Security (Jersey) Law 1974, as well aspects of other legislation administered by Employment, Social Security and Housing (“ESSH”), such as the Income Support, Long-Term Care and Health Insurance Laws.
The Tribunal will review all facts placed before it by the Appellant and the Minister for Social Security and may confirm, reverse or vary the decision made by the ESSH Determining Officers.
The constitution of the Social Security Tribunal comprises a Chair (or a Deputy Chair) holding a qualification in law, and 2 lay members from a panel of up to 12 other members.
This report discusses the appointment of the legal Chair.
- Tribunals
The Minister is responsible for the constitution of 3 different Tribunal panels, the Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal (“SSMAT”), the Social Security Tribunal (“SST”) and the Income Support Medical Appeal Tribunal (“ISMAT”). In consultation with the Judicial Greffe, who is responsible for the convening and administration of the Tribunals, the role of Chair was developed across all 3 Tribunals to ensure consistency of process and decision-making, and to support the further development of a Tribunals Service.
- Terms of appointment and re-appointment
The Social Security (Determination of Claims and Questions) (Jersey) Order 1974 provides that members of the Tribunal are appointed by the States on the recommendation of the Minister, after consultation with the Jersey Appointments Commission, and in line with the Appointments Commission’s Code for Quangos and Tribunals.
Advocate Simon Thomas was appointed as Chair by the States Assembly on the 3rd December 2020 (P.152/2020), for an initial 5 year term. As such, his current term of office expires on the 2nd December 2025. The Minister therefore recommends the re- appointment of Advocate Thomas for a final term of 4 years commencing on 3rd December 2025. This re-appointment complies with the Appointment Commission’s guidance to provide for a maximum period of 9 years served.
Advocate Simon Thomas qualified at the Jersey Bar in 2014 and has been a partner at Baker & Partners since 2015. Prior to qualification in Jersey, he was called to the English Bar in 1995 and practised from a Chambers in London until relocating to Jersey in 2012. He specialises in litigation and has a varied practice which spans commercial and trusts disputes, employment law, family law, personal injury, regulatory and
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P.78/2025
criminal law. He has been a Crown Advocate since 2015 and has appeared in many of the high profiled criminal cases which have come before the Royal Court in recent years. He teaches the Procedure module on the Jersey Law Course and is a Gray’s Inn advocacy trainer, approved to train newly qualified Jersey Advocates. Simon has been Chair of the Social Security Medical Appeal Tribunal, the Social Security Tribunal and the Income Support Tribunal since 2020 during which time he has presided over numerous appeal hearings, developed good relationships with the medical and lay tribunal members and gained a firm understanding of the law that these tribunals are required to apply.
Financial and staffing implications
There are no additional financial or staffing implications for Government as a result of this proposition.
Children’s Rights Impact Assessment
A Children’s Rights Impact Assessment (CRIA) screener has been prepared in relation to this proposition and is available to read on the States Assembly website.