Letter from home office but don't understand?

Hi all,

Received a letter from Home Office regarding appeal of family visit visa which was sent to my solicitor and who then forwarded to me. My soliciter is away on annual leave so can't get in touch with him.

"Our records show that a representative is currently acting on this appeal and they are still instructed by the appellant. We cannot change our records or give you any information about this appeal, includign the details of the representative, under the Data Protection Act (1998). The Tribunal needs written authority from the appellant before action can be taken.

The authority you submitted was signed by the sponsor. In accordance with the DPA we require the authority to be signed by the appellant."

Does this mean my relatives in Pakistan have got someone working for them which is srewing things up? They say they require the appellant to sign the paperwork. I thought the tribunal would post something to my relatives in Pakistan after i had submitted the appeal for them to sign. Can anyone help with interpretation?

It means that the HOme Office and IAT will only deal with the appellant and his representative, which is your solicitor. They will not deal with anybody except your solicitior.

The IAT do not normally write to the applicant or sponsor if they have a representaive (in your case your solicitor).

Only if you dont have a solicior will they write to the sponsor ( who is acting as rep for the appellant).

Hope you understand this