Their jurisdiction extends over England, Wales and Scotland. They are assisted by Legal Officers who are authorised by the Lord Chancellor or, in Scotland, by the Secretary of State for Scotland, to issue directions and interlocutory rulings in individual cases, although all final decisions are given by Commissioners. Appeals may be brought before Commissioners only on questions of law. Guidance about bringing appeals is available from the Commissioners' home page and an appeal form may be downloaded. Most appeals are determined on paper without a hearing.
Parties make their submissions in writing.
However, parties may ask for an oral hearing and sometimes a Commissioner directs a hearing even when there has been no request. Hearings take place at the Commissioners' offices in London and Edinburgh and there are also regular hearings in Cardiff and occasional hearings elsewhere. There are plans to establish regular hearings in the North of England during 2001. Advice about oral hearings is available from the Commissioners' home page and an expenses claim form may be downloaded. The Commissioners' London office is split between two sites.