Tribunals

• What are tribunals an alternative to?


  Court
• Why were tribunals created?


  To provide ordinary people with less expensive legal protection
• What are the characteristics of hearings in tribunals?


  They are speedy, informal, and just
• What are the types of tribunals mentioned in the study material?


  • Employment Tribunal
  • Land Tribunal
  • Tax Tribunal
  • Housing Tribunal
• What matters does the Employment Tribunal deal with?


  Discrimination and dismissal
• What does the Land Tribunal handle?


  Compensation when the Council wants to buy land
• What type of disputes does the Tax Tribunal address?


  Disputes relating to tax and national insurance
• What issues does the Housing Tribunal resolve?


  Disputes between landlords and tenants
• What opportunity do tribunals provide to ordinary citizens?


  To contest rulings and decisions of a department of State or employer
• Who typically chairs a tribunal?

  A legally qualified chairperson
• Who assists the chairperson in a tribunal?


  Specialists in the particular field of the tribunal
• How do tribunals typically operate in terms of decision-making?


  They hear evidence from witnesses but decide the case themselves
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of tribunals?


  Advantages:

  • Quicker
  • Less formal
  • More accessible
  • Alternative to traditional Courts

  
  

  Disadvantages:

  • Public funding is not available
  • System still favours the rich and powerful
• What is the appeal process for tribunal decisions?

  An appeal can be made to an Upper Tribunal and possibly to the Civil Division of the Court of Appeal