what are tribunals

• How do tribunals operate?

  Alongside the court system and have become an important part of the legal system.
• When were many tribunals created?

  With the development of the welfare state to give people a method of enforcing their entitlement to certain social rights.
• How are tribunals different to courts?

  They are more formal.
• What types of cases do tribunals hear?

  • Employment law claims
  • Immigration and asylum appeals
  • Benefit disputes concerning mental health or education
• What does each tribunal focus on?

  A specific area of law.
• Who are tribunals staffed by?

  Legally qualified judges, and, often, lay members with specialist expertise.
• Which types of legal disputes does Parliament mandate must be resolved through tribunals?

  • Employment disputes
  • Tax and benefit claims
  • Immigration and asylum matters
• What are the 3 different types of tribunals?

  • Administrative
  • Domestic
  • Employment
• What is the role of the Administrative tribunal?

  They adjudicate disputes between individuals and the state over social welfare rights such as social security, immigration, and land.
• What is the role of the Domestic tribunal?

  They are internal tribunals used for disputes within private bodies, such as the Law Society and the General Medicine Council.
• What is the role of the Employment tribunal?

  They are the most common use of tribunals, dealing with disputes between employees and employers over rights under employment legislation.
• Which Act reformed the tribunal system?

  The Tribunals, Courts, & Enforcement Act 2007
• How did The Tribunals, Courts & Enforcement Act 2006 reform the tribunal system?

  It created a First-tier tribunal to hear cases at first instance and Upper Tribunal to hear appeals.
• What is the first-tier tribunal?

  It operates in 7 chambers, including the Social Entitlement Chamber and the Employment Chamber.
• What is the upper-tier tribunal?

  It is divided into 4 chambers, including the Lands Chamber and the Administrative Appeals Chamber. There is a further possible appeal route to the Court of Appeal and then the Supreme Court.
• Which personnel are involved in a first-tier tribunal?

  A tribunal judge hears cases, and, in some cases, two non-legal specialists meet with the judge to make a decision. Also, two lay members who represented both the employer and employee provide thorough knowledge of employment issues.
• Who are the two non-legal specialists involved in the first-tier tribunal?

  Experts in the tribunal's particular sector e.g. social care or housing.
• Which tribunal operates separately from first-tier tribunals?

  The Employment tribunal.
• What is the procedure in tribunals?

  Both sides are given the opportunity to put their cases. In some trials, e.g. employment and asylum cases, it's done formally with witnesses giving evidence on oath and cross-examining. Others operate less formally.
• Is funding for representation available in tribunals?

  It's only available in few tribunals so most applicants won't have a lawyer and will present their own case.
• Where applicants in tribunals have to present their own case, what must judges ensure?

  That the applicant puts the case fully.
• Is the decision of a tribunal binding?

  Yes