The Senior President has today published his first annual report. This report draws together the tribunals reform story so far beginning with Sir Andrew Leggatt’s comprehensive 2001 report Tribunals for User: One System, One Service, which was the catalyst for the structural reform of tribunals in the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, and ending with the establishment of the new structure.
Tribunals touch every section of society dealing with appeals ranging from social security to tax, mental health, immigration and armed forces compensation. The report includes accounts from all the judicial leaders of the way in which the reforms have affected their jurisdictions.
The Senior President, Lord Justice Carnwath said:
“Tribunals reform has been a quiet evolution but, over the past decade, we have achieved a huge change drawing together a wide array of individual institutions and appointments into a coherent and cohesive structure. Users already benefit from a simpler structure, review provisions and easier access to onward appeal but in the future I hope that the new flexibilities will lead to swifter access and an improved service for all.
“These are difficult economic times for everyone and we are seeing large increases in appeals in several jurisdictions including social security and employment. I want to pay tribute to the tribunals judiciary who are working with their administrator colleagues to meet the challenges of delivering justice to more users within allocated resources.”
Notes to Editors
- A PDF copy of the report can be accessed from the link below
- For further information please contact the Judicial Communications Office on 020 7073 4852, or email Press Enquiries
