The website of the judges, magistrates and tribunal members in England and Wales

Home | About the judiciary | Key facts | Learning resources | Judgments and guidance | Publications and media

Where They Sit and What They Do

There are more than 130 tribunals in England and Wales, deciding disputes that would otherwise require more formal court hearings.   Tribunals hear over a million cases each year, more than any other part of the justice system except Magistrates' Courts.  tribunal judges and tribunal chairmen are assisted by specialist members - also known as panel members or lay members - who bring with them their specialist knowledge and experience.  They are not expert witnesses; they are appointed for their experience and background knowledge in the field, and their common sense.

Tribunal members’ rôle is to provide a practical, specialised view of the facts and evidence at the tribunal. For example an employment tribunal may have  a trade union representative  and an employer's representative sitting as specialist members.  Such members take an equal part in the decisions made by their tribunal but are advised on points of law by the legally qualified panel tribunal chairman or tribunal judge. Both titles are used, depending on the tribunal, and as they are fixed by the relevant law, chairman or judge includes both men and women appointed to that office.

Tribunal members listen to the evidence in a tribunal, question parties and witnesses where appropriate, and participate fully in the decision making after the hearing has concluded.  They will see and have input into the written decision before it is sent out, though it is the tribunal chairman or tribunal judge’s job to write it. 

Appointment

Tribunal members must have experience or background knowledge relevant to the work of the tribunal on which they sit. When tribunals are advertising for new specialist members they set out the eligibility criteria for the post to ensure that candidates have the required range of skills and knowledge.

Tribunal members are appointed on a fee-paid basis and are paid according to the number of sittings or days worked.  The number of sitting days specialist members are expected to commit to varies depending on the tribunal and will generally be at least 15 days a year.  Tribunal members are normally appointed for five years initially and will usually have their appointment renewed for further periods provided that they are still willing to serve and considered to be competent.

Working dress

Tribunal panel members wear normal business attire.

©2008 Judicial Communications Office