Facts
Swiss national [B.], who was temporarily residing and working in the United Kingdom during the relevant period, filed a complaint against two contribution decisions of the Swiss Compensation Office dated May 14, 1999. In response, the Federal Appeals Commission of the AHV/IV for persons residing abroad ordered him by interim decision dated March 22, 2000 to transfer a cost advance of CHF 1,000 by May 2, 2000 to secure the anticipated court costs. At the same time, it announced that if this amount was not paid within the specified deadline, the complaint would be dismissed by a non-entry-into-matter decision.
[B.] then filed an administrative court appeal with the request to revoke the cost advance decision, as no costs should be levied for the first instance appeal proceedings.
Considerations
The Federal Insurance Court stated that cost advance decisions are generally to be considered as interim decisions, which can only be challenged independently if they can cause irreparable harm. This was the case here, as the request for payment of a cost advance was combined with the threat of non-entry.
Furthermore, the court found that the proceedings before the Federal Appeals Commission of the AHV/IV for persons residing abroad, in contrast to those before the cantonal appeal authorities,…