Changes in the Tribunals Service
Recent Changes
On 3 November 2008 a new unified tribunals system was launched. This flexible structure helps us to build services that are more responsive to the needs of tribunal users.
The new system created two tiers (layers) of Tribunal; a First-tier Tribunal and an Upper Tribunal. Within each tier, separate "chambers" were established to deal with similar types of appeals as follows:
Upper Tribunal:
- Administrative Appeals Chamber
First –tier tribunal:
- Social Entitlement Chamber
- Health, Education and Social Care Chamber
- War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber:
This was the first step in a programme of reform for the Tribunals Service. Since this time, the following new Chambers have joined the unified structure:
Tax
A new Upper Tribunal chamber and First-tier chamber for tax appeals was implemented 1 April 2009. This brought together the four existing tax tribunals to hear the full range of direct and indirect tax cases. For more information visit the Tax Tribunal website.
Lands
A new Lands Chamber which sits in the Upper Tribunal went live on 1 June 2009. More information can be found on the Lands Tribunal website.
General Regulatory Chamber
The General Regulatory Chamber (GRC) was established within the First-tier Tribunal on 1 September 2009. The GRC brings together tribunals that hear appeals on regulatory issues. Currently, nine jurisdictions operate within the GRC – Charity; Claims Management Services; Consumer Credit; Estate Agents; Gambling Appeals; Information Rights; Immigration Services; Local Government Standards in England; Consumer Credit; and some Transport functions. Read more about the GRC.
Immigration and Asylum
On 15 February 2010 new chambers were established in the Upper Tribunal and First-tier Tribunal, to deal with immigration and asylum appeals. For more information visit First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)
Upcoming Changes
The Pensions Regulator Tribunal and the Financial Services and Markets Tribunal are scheduled to transfer into the unified tribunal structure on 6 April 2010. Both tribunals will move into the Tax and Chancery Chamber of the Upper Tribunal.
