Attached is a schema showing the lines which appeals may take in refugee cases. The references to Certified Cases are to the relevant sections of the Asylum and Immigration Act, 1996. The UK appellate structure is multi-level. Appeal lies, in the first instance, from the decision of the Executive, to a Special Adjudicator who is a judicial officer and who sitting alone is judge both of fact and law. That body sits in panels of three, normally a judicial officer as chairman and two lay persons.
Provision exists for appeals to be heard by a panel of three judicial officers.
Judicial review is the only redress for decisions of a Special Adjudicator in certified cases. Refusal of judicial review is itself appealable, with leave, by the Court of Appeal. The full-time judicial officers have security of tenure in that they are only removable for cause. Most part-time judicial officers are practicing barristers and solicitors. All information is copyright Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada 1999.