Not insist, perhaps, but you can request it.
Rules around remote hearings state 'The overriding objective of these Rules is to enable the Upper Tribunal to deal
with cases fairly and justly.' Guidance has been issued that helps.
1.3. The decision to hold a hearing remotely or to enable participants to attend
remotely is a judicial one...
‘hearing’ means an oral hearing and includes a hearing conducted in whole or in part by video link, telephone or
other means of instantaneous two-way electronic communication.
2.3. The judge will decide what mode of hearing is in the interests of justice in the
circumstances of the individual case. The judge will make that decision in accordance with the overriding
objective in rule 2....
2.4. The judge ‘must have regard to any view expressed by a party when deciding
… the form of any such hearing’ (rule 34(2)).
2.5. The judge may change a mode of hearing, whether or not on application by a
party (rule 6).
3.2 Remote hearings use either video or by telephone through a video link.
A hearing may be fully remote (by which none of the participants is present in the hearing venue) or partially
remote (by which some participants are present in a hearing venue, but some join remotely). The mode may also
change during a multi-day hearing, with all participants present in the hearing venue on one day but some or all
joining remotely on another day.
3.3 Decisions whether to hold a remote hearing are to be taken on a case-by-
case, basis based on the interests of justice.
4.1 There is no default approach.
5.4 The following (non-exhaustive) factors are relevant when a judge decides the
mode of hearing. It will be for the judge to decide how they weigh these (or other) factors in the balance in
the circumstances of each case.
5.4.1 The views of the parties. 5.4.2 Purpose of the hearing. 5.4.3 Duration of the hearing.
5.4.4 Access to appropriate technology. 5.4.5 Residence or location of the parties, representatives and
witnesses. 5.4.6 Travel difficulties and related costs. 5.4.7 Communication issues. 5.4.8 Employment duties.
5.4.9 Caring responsibilities. 5.4.10 Safety concerns.