Accordingly, the review board reduced the award to $20,000, and the defendant appealed this ruling to the Appellate Court. The Appellate Court dismissed the appeal sua sponte, claiming lack of jurisdiction. We then granted the defendant's petition for certification to appeal. Day v. Middletown, 243 Conn. 939, 702 A.2d 643 (1997). General Statutes § 31-327 (b) provides in pertinent part: "All fees of attorneys . . . for services under this chapter shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner."