In England and Wales, there are a number of different tribunals which deal with specific areas of law. Tribunals are specialised bodies that are designed to provide a less formal and less expensive way of resolving disputes than traditional courts.
Tribunals in England and Wales are overseen by the Tribunal Procedure Committee, which is responsible for setting the rules and procedures that they must follow. Some of the most important tribunals in England and Wales include:
Employment Tribunal: deals with employment disputes, including unfair dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract.
First-tier Tribunal and Upper Tribunal: these are two separate tribunals, but they both deal with appeals against decisions made by government agencies and other public bodies. The First-tier Tribunal hears initial appeals, while the Upper Tribunal hears appeals against decisions made by the First-tier Tribunal.
Immigration and Asylum Tribunal: deals with appeals against decisions made by the Home Office on immigration and asylum cases.
Tax Tribunal: deals with appeals against decisions made by HM Revenue and Customs on tax matters.
Mental Health Tribunal: deals with applications made under the Mental Health Act 1983, including decisions on detention and treatment of people with mental health conditions.
Tribunals are intended to provide a simpler, quicker and cheaper way of resolving disputes than traditional courts. They often involve less formal procedures and rules of evidence, and parties may not need to have legal representation. Tribunal decisions are usually made by a panel of experts in the relevant area of law, and they are legally binding.
Get a head start on your legal education with our First Year LLB Study Guide.
