Tribunal vs. Court: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on November 18, 2023
Tribunal: specialized courts for specific issues; Court: broader jurisdiction, formal judiciary system.
Key Differences
A Tribunal often refers to a quasi-judicial institution that is established to resolve particular types of disputes. A Court, on the other hand, is a formal establishment where legal disputes are adjudicated by judges who follow a strict legal framework and procedure.
Tribunals are generally considered less formal, more specialized, and often faster in handling disputes than Courts. Courts, conversely, handle a wide range of criminal and civil disputes and are structured by a detailed, formal judicial system.
Tribunals are often empowered to deal with specific areas of law, like employment issues or human rights cases, providing expert adjudication. In contrast, Courts handle diverse legal matters, including criminal, civil, and constitutional cases, requiring judges to have comprehensive legal knowledge.
The rules of evidence and procedure in Tribunals are usually less stringent than in Courts, allowing for a more accessible and often more expedient process. Courts adhere to formal rules of evidence and procedure, which can sometimes make the legal process longer and more complex.
Decisions from Tribunals can often be appealed to Courts, suggesting a hierarchy where Courts have higher authority. Courts' decisions can be appealed within the judicial system, but they remain the ultimate authority on most legal matters.
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Comparison Chart
Jurisdiction
Specific, narrow focus
Broad, diverse legal matters
Formality
Less formal procedures
Highly formal procedures
Expertise
Often experts in a particular field of law
General legal expertise across various fields
Accessibility
Easier, more expedient access
Can be complex and time-consuming
Appeal Process
Decisions can usually be appealed to courts
Higher authority, decisions appealed within
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Tribunal and Court Definitions
Tribunal
A seat or court of justice.
The matter was settled by the tribunal.
Court
An institution to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice.
He had to appear in court for a speeding ticket.
Tribunal
A special court or committee appointed to judge a specific matter.
The tribunal found the company guilty of misconduct.
Court
The residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary; a royal court.
The ambassadors were summoned to the court.
Tribunal
An assembly (including judges) to conduct judicial business.
Several war criminals were tried before the international tribunal.
Court
The place where justice is administered.
The decision of the court must be respected.
Tribunal
Something that decides or determines.
For him, public opinion was the highest tribunal.
Court
The process of trying to win or attain something.
She was in court to win approval.
Tribunal
A body established to settle certain types of dispute.
The employment tribunal ruled in her favor.
Court
An extent of open ground partially or completely enclosed by walls or buildings; a courtyard.
Tribunal
A law court.
Court
Abbr. Ct. A short street, especially a wide alley walled by buildings on three sides.
Tribunal
The bench where a judge or other presiding judicial officer sits in court.
Court
A large open section of a building, often with a glass roof or skylight.
Tribunal
The place where a session of court is held.
Court
A large building, such as a mansion, arranged around a courtyard.
Tribunal
A committee or board appointed to adjudicate in a particular matter.
Court
The place of residence of a sovereign or dignitary; a royal mansion or palace.
Tribunal
Something that has the power to determine or judge
The tribunal of public opinion.
Court
The retinue of a sovereign, including the royal family and personal servants, advisers, and ministers.
Tribunal
(legal) An assembly including one or more judges to conduct judicial business; a court of law.
Court
A sovereign's governing body, including the council of ministers and state advisers.
Tribunal
A kind of village hall used to transact business, to quarter troops and travellers, and to confine prisoners.
Court
A formal meeting or reception presided over by a sovereign.
Tribunal
The seat of a judge; the bench on which a judge and his associates sit for administering justice.
Court
A person or body of persons that presides over the hearing of cases; a judge or panel of judges.
Tribunal
Hence, a court or forum; as, the House of Lords, in England, is the highest tribunal in the kingdom.
Court
The building, hall, or room where cases are heard.
Tribunal
In villages of the Philippine Islands, a kind of townhall. At the tribunal the head men of the village met to transact business, prisoners were confined, and troops and travelers were often quartered.
Court
The session at which cases are heard.
Tribunal
An assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
Court
An ecclesiastical court.
Court
(Sports) An open level area marked with appropriate lines, upon which a game, such as tennis, handball, or basketball, is played.
Court
The body of directors of an organization, especially of a corporation.
Court
A legislative assembly.
Court
To attempt to gain; seek
Courting wealth and fame.
Court
To behave so as to invite or incur
Courts disaster by taking drugs.
Court
To try to gain the love or affections of, especially to seek to marry.
Court
To attempt to gain the favor of by attention or flattery
A salesperson courting a potential customer.
Court
(Zoology) To behave so as to attract (a mate).
Court
To pursue a courtship; woo.
Court
(Zoology) To engage in courtship behavior.
Court
An enclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of a building, or by different buildings; also, a space opening from a street and nearly surrounded by houses; a blind alley.
The girls were playing in the court.
Court
A street with no outlet, a cul-de-sac.
Court
A housing estate under the House Ownership Scheme.
Court
An apartment building, or a small development of several apartment buildings.
Court
(social) Royal society.
Court
The residence of a sovereign, prince, nobleman, or other dignitary; a palace.
The noblemen visited the queen in her court.
Court
The collective body of persons composing the retinue of a sovereign or person high in authority; all the surroundings of a sovereign in his regal state.
The queen and her court traveled to the city to welcome back the soldiers.
Court
Any formal assembling of the retinue of a sovereign.
Court
Attention directed to a person in power; behaviour designed to gain favor; politeness of manner; civility towards someone
Court
(law) The administration of law.
Court
The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered.
Many famous criminals have been put on trial in this court.
Court
The persons officially assembled under authority of law, at the appropriate time and place, for the administration of justice; an official assembly, legally met together for the transaction of judicial business; a judge or judges sitting for the hearing or trial of cases.
The court started proceedings at 11 o'clock.
Court
(often capitalized) The judge or judges or other judicial officer presiding in a particular matter, particularly as distinguished from the counsel or jury, or both.
Court
The session of a judicial assembly.
The court is now in session.
Court
Any jurisdiction, civil, military, or ecclesiastical.
Court
(sports) A place arranged for playing the games of tennis, basketball, handball, badminton, volleyball, squash and some other games
The local sports club has six tennis courts and two squash courts.
The shuttlecock landed outside the court.
Court
One of the two divisions of a tennis, badminton or volleyball court, in which the player or players of each team play
Court
(transitive) To seek to achieve or win.
He was courting big new accounts that previous salesman had not attempted.
Court
(transitive) To risk (a consequence, usually negative).
He courted controversy with his frank speeches.
Court
(transitive) To try to win a commitment to marry from.
Court
(transitive) To engage in behavior leading to mating.
The bird was courting by making an elaborate dance.
Court
(transitive) To attempt to attract.
Court
(transitive) To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract.
Court
(transitive) To attempt to gain alliance with.
Court
(intransitive) To engage in activities intended to win someone's affections.
She's had a few beaus come courting.
Court
(intransitive) To engage in courtship behavior.
In this season, you can see many animals courting.
Court
An inclosed space; a courtyard; an uncovered area shut in by the walls of a building, or by different building; also, a space opening from a street and nearly surrounded by houses; a blind alley.
The courts of the house of our God.
And round the cool green courts there ran a rowOf cloisters.
Goldsmith took a garret in a miserable court.
Court
The residence of a sovereign, prince, nobleman, or other dignitary; a palace.
Attends the emperor in his royal court.
This our court, infected with their manners,Shows like a riotous inn.
Court
The collective body of persons composing the retinue of a sovereign or person high in authority; all the surroundings of a sovereign in his regal state.
My lord, there is a nobleman of the court at door would speak with you.
Love rules the court, the camp, the grove.
Court
Any formal assembling of the retinue of a sovereign; as, to hold a court.
The princesses held their court within the fortress.
Court
Attention directed to a person in power; conduct or address designed to gain favor; courtliness of manners; civility; compliment; flattery.
No solace could her paramour intreatHer once to show, ne court, nor dalliance.
I went to make my court to the Duke and Duchess of Newcastle.
Court
The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered.
Most heartily I do beseech the courtTo give the judgment.
Court
The session of a judicial assembly.
Court
Any jurisdiction, civil, military, or ecclesiastical.
Court
A place arranged for playing the game of tennis; also, one of the divisions of a tennis court.
Court
To endeavor to gain the favor of by attention or flattery; to try to ingratiate one's self with.
By one person, hovever, Portland was still assiduously courted.
Court
To endeavor to gain the affections of; to seek in marriage; to woo.
If either of you both love Katharina . . . Leave shall you have to court her at your pleasure.
Court
To attempt to gain; to solicit; to seek.
They might almost seem to have courted the crown of martyrdom.
Guilt and misery . . . court privacy and solitude.
Court
To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract.
A well-worn pathway courted usTo one green wicket in a privet hedge.
Court
To play the lover; to woo; as, to go courting.
Court
An assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
Court
The sovereign and his advisers who are the governing power of a state
Court
A specially marked area within which a game is played;
Players had to reserve a court in advance
Court
A room in which a law court sits;
Television cameras were admitted in the courtroom
Court
A yard wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings;
The house was built around an inner court
Court
The residence of a sovereign or nobleman;
The king will visit the duke's court
Court
The family and retinue of a sovereign or prince
Court
A hotel for motorists; provides direct access from rooms to parking area
Court
Australian woman tennis player who won many major championships (born in 1947)
Court
Respectful deference;
Pay court to the emperor
Court
Make amorous advances towards;
John is courting Mary
Court
Seek someone's favor;
China is wooing Russia
Court
Engage in social activities leading to marriage;
We were courting for over ten years
Court
The persons assembled to conduct judicial business.
The court was divided in its verdict.
FAQs
Are tribunals specialized?
Typically, they focus on specific areas of law.
Do tribunals follow the same evidence rules as courts?
Often not; they're usually less stringent.
Are court proceedings public?
Typically, yes, unless deemed otherwise for special reasons.
Do tribunals have less formal procedures?
Yes, they're often more flexible than courts.
Can non-lawyers represent you in tribunals?
Often, yes, representation rules are less strict.
What's a court of last resort?
The highest court in a jurisdiction, no further appeals.
Are tribunals faster than courts?
Generally, yes, due to less formality.
Can tribunal decisions be appealed?
Often, yes, usually in a court.
Do courts handle criminal cases?
Yes, among various other case types.
Can courts enforce decisions?
Yes, through various legal means.
Do all legal disputes go to court?
No, some can be settled privately or in tribunals.
How broad is a court's jurisdiction?
It varies, but courts generally have wide-ranging authority.
Are tribunals international?
They can be, like war crime tribunals.
Do courts have set procedures?
Yes, established by law and precedent.
Are judges required in court?
Yes, judges or magistrates preside over proceedings.
Are tribunals government-run?
They can be, or established by private entities.
Are court documents public?
Usually, unless sealed for privacy or security.
Is expertise common in tribunals?
Yes, they often require specific legal or subject knowledge.
Can tribunals award damages?
Yes, depending on their jurisdiction.
Are court rulings final?
They can be appealed unless it's the highest court's decision.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
