London Academy and Recruitment Centre Limited v Care Quality Commission

Facts

London Academy And Recruitment Centre Limited was registered by the Care Quality Commission on 13 March 2023 as a provider of the regulated activity of personal care at premises at 1 Dock Road, London. In November 2023 the CQC asked whether the regulated activity had been carried on from the location since 15 March 2023, and in December 2023 the company, through its director Mr Aris, confirmed that it had not. Further enquiries in April and May 2025 went unanswered, and a Notice of Proposal to cancel registration was sent on 10 July 2025. No representations having been received, the CQC adopted the proposal and sent a Notice of Decision cancelling registration on 1 September 2025 under section 28 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, on the basis that regulated services had not been provided for at least twelve months. Mr Aris telephoned the CQC on 2 July 2026 and lodged the company's appeal with the First-tier Tribunal the same day, some 270 days after the 28-day appeal period expired on 30 September 2025. He acknowledged the appeal was out of time and sought an extension, asserting in the appeal form that the Notice of Decision had never been received. The Tribunal listed the extension of time as a preliminary issue.