Appeals to the Secretary of State are heard on his behalf by a panel of independent persons appointed by the Secretary of State for that purpose. Both the OFT and the appellant can argue their case before the panel which then makes a report to the Secretary of State. The report includes the recommendations of the panel on whether the appeal should be allowed or dismissed.

It is the Secretary of State’s policy that he will;

• save in exceptional cases, follow the recommendations of the panel.

• not depart from the panel’s recommendations without first having invited the parties to make representations.

Exceptional cases would include where the Secretary of State considers that the panel is wrong in law or where new evidence comes to light after the hearing including evidence that the panel was misled.

Please see our Estate Agents Act Appeal Process Guide for further information. A copy of this guide is sent by the OFT to those who can appeal.

The majority of our hearings are open to the public and notices giving the time and place of the hearing are published in newspapers local to the appellant. When an appeal is concluded, the outcome is also usually published in a local newspaper.

Recent and forthcoming public hearings and the outcome of public appeal hearings within the last six months are also listed on our web pages (follow links in the menu on the left).