Form

How to complete the form: SSCS8a

Updated 22 April 2025

Section 1: Your details

When the form refers to ‘you’ it is talking about the person who is making the appeal.

You must provide your details in your appeal form so that we can contact you. The Infected Blood Compensation Authority (IBCA) also need your details to identify your case.

We need your phone number in case we need to contact you at short notice. For example, if:

• a hearing date becomes available sooner than expected
• it’s easier to explain something by phone instead of in writing

 You’ll need to tell us who you are appealing for, because we need to know:

• who is appealing
• if you are seeking compensation for yourself, or on behalf of someone else

Appeal for yourself

Appeal for yourself if you’re:

• the person entitled to a compensation payment in your own right
• acting on your own behalf

Appeal as a parent or guardian

Appeal as a parent or guardian if you’re appealing on behalf of a child that you have parental responsibility for.

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the child must be aged 17 and under.

In Scotland, the child must be aged 15 and under.

Appeal as a guardian, deputy or controller

Appeal as a guardian, deputy or controller if a court has given you legal authority to act on behalf of a person who is not able to manage their own affairs. This person is called a:

• ‘deputy’ in England and Wales
• ‘guardian’ in Scotland
• ‘controller’ in Northern Ireland

Appeal on behalf of someone you have power of attorney for

Appeal on behalf of someone you have power of attorney for if a court has given you power of attorney for the person who you are applying for.

Appeal as a personal representative on behalf of a deceased person

Appeal as a personal representative on behalf of a deceased person if you have either:

• a grant of probate or grant of letters of administration for the deceased’s estate in England and Wales
• been appointed executor dative by a court in Scotland to administer the deceased’s estate
• a grant of probate or grant of administration from a court in Northern Ireland to administer the deceased’s estate

Section 2: About your IBCA decision

You’ll need to tell us the date of your IBCA decision.

If you’re appealing more than one calendar month after the date on your review decision notice, you must tell us why your appeal is late.

Section 3: About your representative (if you have one)

If you have a representative, you’ll need to provide their information.

If you want a representative but you do not have one yet, you can still submit your appeal. Once you have a representative, you can provide their information to us in writing.

We will contact your representative about your appeal.

If the IBCA need to send you anything to do with your appeal, they will also send copies to your representative.

Section 4: The reasons for your appeal

You’ll need to explain why you think the decision you’re appealing is wrong.  

You should read your review decision notice and write what you disagree with and why. You can also tell us what you think the correct decision should be.

You can attach evidence to support your appeal. If you do not have the evidence yet, you should not delay your appeal. You can submit evidence at any time before the hearing.

Section 5: Your hearing preference

You can either ask to:

• attend and take part in your hearing
• have your appeal decided without attending the hearing – this is also called a ‘paper hearing’

The IBCA will also be asked what type of hearing they want.

Hearings you can take part in

You will be expected to attend and take part in the hearing either:

• in person
• by video
• by telephone

You can agree with your representative on whether they will attend the hearing.

If you chose to attend a hearing in person, you’ll need to attend a tribunal in Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales). We will try to make sure your hearing venue is the tribunal either nearest to:

• where you live
• your place of arrival if you live outside of Great Britain

You can find your nearest tribunal.

If you have any issues with the hearing venue, you’ll need to contact us.   

At the hearing, you will:

• speak to the tribunal
• put forward your case
• answer any questions

 The IBCA also has the right to take part in the hearing.

Hearings you do not take part in

If you want your case decided by the tribunal without attending a hearing, you’ll need to ask for a paper hearing.

A paper hearing will only take place if:

• no one has asked for a hearing they can attend and take part in
• all parties agree to it
• the tribunal thinks it can decide your appeal without you attending and taking part in the hearing

You and the IBCA will not take part in the hearing – the tribunal will come to its decision alone. The tribunal will consider:

• the information in your appeal form
• any evidence you have given
• the IBCA’s response to your appeal

Section 6: Taking part in a hearing

You’ll need to tell us which types of hearings you’d prefer.

You can choose more than one.

Section 7: Support at your hearing

Language and sign language interpreters

The tribunal will use independent, professional interpreters. You cannot use your own interpreter.

When we arrange the hearing, we will make sure the interpreter meets your needs. You can ask for a:

• language interpreter, who interprets verbally to translate English into another language
• sign interpreter, who translates spoken words into, for example, British Sign Language

Accessibility

If you want to attend a hearing in person, we will need to make sure that the venue is in a suitable location that you can easily access.

You can tell us about any needs you have, or any reasonable adjustments you would like us to make. For example:

• a hearing loop
• adjustments because of a disability or mobility issue – this includes physical and mental disabilities

Section 8: You and your representative’s availability for a hearing

If you want to take part in a hearing, you’ll need to tell us any dates that you and your representative are unavailable for.

If your availability changes, you must tell us.

Section 9: Sign and post

It is a legal requirement for you to sign your appeal.

If you do not sign your appeal, it may be returned to you.

By signing your appeal, you give us permission to contact your representative (if you have one).

Contact us

England, Wales, Northern Ireland or outside the UK

HMCTS Infected Blood Appeals
PO Box 13618
Harlow
CM19 5QS

Telephone: 0300 131 2850
Welsh language speakers: 0300 303 5170

Find out about call charges

Scotland

HMCTS SSCS Appeals Centre
PO Box 13150
Harlow
CM20 9TT

Telephone: 0300 790 6234

Find out about call charges