ABSTRACT
Since tribunals are so varied in composition, appointment of members, procedure and functions, it is not possible to provide a satisfactory classification. Many examples of statutory tribunals can be found, including the Social Security Appeals Tribunal, Medical Appeals Tribunal, mental health review tribunals, industrial tribunals, Pensions Appeal Tribunal, Immigration Appeals Tribunal, Agriculture Land Tribunal, the Lands Tribunal, Plant Varieties and Seeds Tribunal, Commissioners of Income Tax, VAT tribunals, rent tribunals and Data Protection Tribunal. As a general rule, tribunals comprise three members, one of whom is appointed chairperson and who is legally trained. The other two members are drawn from the area or areas of concern. For example, with industrial tribunals one member will have knowledge and experience as an employer, and the other as an employee. In some cases, as, for example, in the Lands Tribunal, one member sits alone.
