Appeal against a Pensions Regulator fine
How to appeal against a fine issued by the Pensions Regulator under automatic pension enrolment rules.
What you can appeal against
You can normally appeal if you’re an employer and have been issued with a fine for breaking the rules on providing your staff with a workplace pension, for example, if you do not enrol your employees into a pension scheme or pay contributions.
You must first ask the Pensions Regulator to review the decision.
If you disagree with the outcome of the review, you can appeal to the tribunal as long as you either:
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applied to the Pensions Regulator for a review of the notice within 28 days of the date the notice was issued and the regulator reviewed the notice or decided not to review the notice
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did not apply to the Pensions Regulator for a review of the notice within 28 days but the Pensions Regulator decided to review the notice anyway
The fine will be put on hold while you appeal.
The tribunal
Your case will be dealt with by a tribunal in the General Regulatory Chamber.
The tribunal is independent of the government, and will listen to both sides of the argument before it reaches its decision.
If you or your representative is outside the UK and wants to give live video or audio evidence, contact the tribunal to request it. Tell the tribunal what country you or the representative is in and what type of evidence is being given. You must do this as soon as possible.
Time limits for appealing
You have 28 days to appeal after the regulator sends you its review decision.
If you miss the time limit, you can ask for more time to appeal. Explain why you’re late, and the tribunal will decide if it can still take your case.
How to appeal
Complete the relevant General Regulatory Chamber (First-tier Tribunal) form.
Clearly say why you want to appeal against the decision.
Include any supporting documents, like the penalty notice and the review decision letter.
Send the form to grc@justice.gov.uk or:
General Regulatory Chamber
HM Courts & Tribunals Service
PO Box 9300
Leicester
LE1 8DJ
Telephone: 0300 123 4504
Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
Tribunal staff can explain how the process works, but they cannot give you legal advice.
What happens next
The tribunal will write to you about the next steps.
Find out more about General Regulatory Chamber hearings and decisions.
Legislation and rules
You can find the right to appeal to the tribunal in section 44 of the Pensions Act 2008.
Read more detailed rules on how your case will be handled in the General Regulatory Chamber procedure rules.
Last updated 31 January 2024 + show all updates
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Updated the how to appeal section with a link to the General Regulatory Chamber (First-tier Tribunal) forms collection.
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Changed telephone number of the GRC
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Change of wording
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First published.