A tribunal is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate, or determine claims or disputes, whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title. Tribunals can be governmental bodies, quasi-judicial institutions, or administrative bodies. They are often established to deal with specific types of disputes, such as resolving administrative or tax issues, or hearing disputes between workers and employers.
Tribunals can be classified into different types based on their authority and jurisdiction. For example, in the United States, tribunals are classified as Article III, Article I, or Article IV tribunals, depending on the article of the Constitution from which their authority stems. In Australia, the term tribunal generally implies a judicial body with a lesser degree of formality than a court, with a simplified legal procedure, often presided over by a lawyer who is not a judge or magistrate.
Tribunals are often set up to be less formal, less expensive, and a faster way to resolve disputes than using the traditional court system. They may resemble courts because they make decisions about disputes, but they are not part of the court system. Tribunals often sit as a panel, incorporating a legally qualified tribunal judge as well as panel members with specific areas of expertise. They hear evidence from witnesses but decide the case themselves.
Tribunals are established by federal or provincial legislation, through municipal bylaws, or by professional associations. They perform an important and specialized role in the justice mechanism, taking a load off the already overburdened courts. They hear disputes related to the environment, armed forces, tax, and administrative issues.
In summary, tribunals are quasi-judicial institutions or administrative bodies with the authority to judge, adjudicate, or determine claims or disputes. They are often established to deal with specific types of disputes and are set up to be less formal, less expensive, and a faster way to resolve disputes than using the traditional court system.
