Tribunals

Abstract In England and Wales tribunals form part of the judicial, rather than the administrative, arm of government. However the term tribunal is used to describe a very wide range of bodies which possess few, if any, universally common features. Typically tribunals, unlike inquiries, are adjudicative bodies performing a judicial function. Like courts they have the power to determine issues in dispute but they are distinct from the court structure. Tribunals are commonly more accessible and less formal than courts and many have evolved in areas of specialized legislation dealing with the relationship between state and citizen in such fi elds as immigration, welfare benefits and taxation. Ideally tribunals are independent of the government department responsible for the area of policy at issue and are consciously established to reflect in their membership the relevant areas of expertise.