13. Statutory Tribunals

Abstract

This chapter examines the rationale for giving the task of resolving disputes to statutory tribunals rather than courts. It also describes the structure and organization for most tribunals and how they conduct dispute resolution adjudication. The hearing technique of redress is considered alongside administrative review, particularly the use of mandatory reconsideration in social security to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of different methods of dispute resolution. Their place in a staged approach, proportionate dispute resolution, is outlined and the possible benefit of conceiving administrative justice as a system with a focus on users is raised as well as some of the issues raised for users by the adoption of digitalization. An outline is given of the oversight activities conducted by the non-statutory Administrative Justice Council.