UI2024002129

                  Permission to appeal was granted by First-tier Tribunal Judge Chowdhury on 29 April 2024 against the decision to dismiss the Appellant's protection appeal made by First-tier Tribunal Judge Rae-Reeves in a decision and reasons promulgated on or about 28 November 2023.

                  The Appellant, a national of Ethiopia born on 30 August 1980, claimed asylum on the basis of her political opinion. Her initial application was refused by the Secretary of State for the Home Department in November 2018 and was dismissed on appeal to the First-tier Tribunal by Judge Row on 30 January 2019. Permission to appeal to the Upper Tribunal was refused.

                  The Appellant submitted a fresh political opinion claim based on her sur place activities on 22 February 2022 which was refused on 15 February 2023.

                  In her Notice of Appeal to the Upper Tribunal, the Appellant maintained in summary that she was not notified of either hearing date by her representatives and so was unable to attend. Had she known of the hearing date and place she would have attended. The Appellant had complained to her representatives about their conduct of her case but had received no response.

                  There was a rule 24 notice from the Respondent, which Ms Isherwood summarised. The appeal was opposed. There was no evidence to support the Appellant's claim that she had complained to her representatives. Her representative had attended both hearings. The Appellant had had her opportunity. She had not explained how she did not receive the notices of hearing and yet was aware of the decision dismissing her appeal.