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STATES OF JERSEY
SOCIAL SECURITY TRIBUNAL: REAPPOINTMENT OF PANEL MEMBERS
Lodged au Greffe on 13th February 2025 by the Minister for Social Security Earliest date for debate: 18th March 2025
STATES GREFFE
2025 P.12
PROPOSITION
THE STATES are asked to decide whether they are of opinion
to 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 persons as panel members of the Social Security Tribunal for a period of 4 years –
Mr. Robert Douglas Ms. June Summers-Shaw Mrs. Susan Cuming.
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 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 panel members.
- 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. The same principle is being applied, as appropriate, to Deputy Chairs and panel members, ensuring a stronger pool available for each Tribunal.
- 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.
The Minister therefore recommends the re-appointment of –
Mr. Robert Douglas Ms. June Summers-Shaw Mrs. Susan Cuming
each for a further term of 4 years. These re-appointments comply with the Appointment Commission's guidance to provide for a maximum period of 9 years served.
The Minister is confident that all individuals proposed have the skills necessary to uphold the fairness and integrity of the tribunal system.
Page - 3
P.12/2025
- Panel members of the Social Security Tribunal proposed for appointment
Mr. Robert Douglas was previously a Director of a leading Trust Company, where he was mainly employed as a Trustee, a position he held for approximately 12 years.
Prior to that, Mr. Douglas worked in law, banking and finance in Jersey since 1988, including undertaking a 5 year period as a Greffier Substitute with the Royal Court.
In addition, Mr. Douglas is one of the founders of the Jersey Marathon, and he continues to serve as a Trustee.
Mr. Douglas has been a Panel Member of the Social Security Tribunal since 2020.
Ms. June Summers-Shaw is a qualified and experienced lecturer and employment law adviser working in the public and private sectors. As a lecturer she worked within the area of Special Educational Needs.
In 2001 she established, with a colleague, the Jersey Advisory and Conciliation Service ("JACS"), and as a result is an experienced mediator.
Ms. Summers-Shaw was for many years an Assessor/ Verifier for management qualifications for the States of Jersey, sat on the Health and Safety Committee within the Social Security Department, and was the representative for the Education Department on the Human Rights Advisory Panel.
As a former foster-carer, she sat from 2012 until 2016 as a member of, and then the Chair of, the Fostering Panel, also sitting occasionally on the Adoption Panel.
Ms. Summers-Shaw has been a Panel Member of the Social Security Tribunal since 2020.
Mrs. Susan Cuming has lived in Jersey since 1983, working for the Government of Jersey until her retirement in 2015. Mrs. Cuming is a qualified senior professional in the field of human resources and has worked with a wide range of people throughout her career.
Mrs. Cuming was a lay member of the Jersey Employment and Discrimination Tribunal from 2015 to 2024 and, since 2017, a member of the Jersey Complaints Board, both of which are independent bodies that hear complaints from members of the Public.
Mrs. Cuming volunteers for Macmillan Cancer Support Jersey. Since 2020, Mrs. Cuming has been a Panel member of the Social Security Tribunal.
Financial and staffing implications
There are not 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.