A tribunal is a type of specialist court that deals with specific legal disputes, like employment issues, tax, or immigration. While the setting might feel less formal, making them more approachable for those representing themselves, the process is still serious – and the outcome can have lasting legal consequences. All decisions made by a tribunal are still legally binding.
Most tribunal hearings are led by a judge and may include lay members with experience in the relevant area.
Employment Tribunals are one of the most common types – often involving claims like unfair dismissal or discrimination. Many follow a two-tier structure: a First-tier Tribunal hears the case first, and an Upper Tribunal handles appeals.