Judicial Profiles - Tribunal Chairmen and Tribunal Judges
Tribunal chairmen and tribunal judges are the legally qualified people who make the tribunal's decision, sometimes alone and sometimes with the assistance of other panel members, who may be either judicial or specialist members. Specialist members are also known as lay members.
Where they sit and what they do
There are more than 130 tribunals in England and Wales, deciding disputes that would otherwise have to go through the courts. They hear about a million cases each year, more than any other part of the justice system. The geographical jurisdiction of tribunals varies - some extend to Scotland and/or Northern Ireland, as well as England and Wales.
Tribunal hearings take place either in separate tribunal buildings, or in ordinary courtrooms, or sometimes more informally in hospitals, prisons, and even hotel rooms.
Appointments
Most Tribunal appointments are held on a fee-paid basis, but some of the larger tribunals have full-time presidents and chairmen. Chairmen, also known in some tribunals as tribunal judges, are usually, but not exclusively, legally qualified.
Procedures for appointing tribunal chairmen vary. Tribunal chairmen or tribunal Judges must meet the statutory qualification necessary for the particular tribunal. In each case, the title tribunal chairman or tribunal judge applies to both men and women appointed to the post, as the title comes from the statute setting up the particular Tribunal. Their retirement age is 70.
The Lord Chancellor is responsible for appointments to many tribunals, and normally only considers for appointment to salaried office those who have gained sufficient experience through service in a fee-paid capacity. All salaried and most fee-paid tribunal appointments are made following an application and interview. Fee-paid office holders are normally appointed for a period of five years, after which renewal is considered for further successive periods of five years or until appointment on a salaried basis.
Working dress
Tribunal chairmen and Tribunal Judges wear a suit.