Tribunal vs. Court: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
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.
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
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.
Harlon Moss
Nov 17, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Expertise
Often experts in a particular field of law
General legal expertise across various fields
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Appeal Process
Decisions can usually be appealed to courts
Higher authority, decisions appealed within
Aimie Carlson
Nov 17, 2023
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Tribunal and Court Definitions
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.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Tribunal
A special court or committee appointed to judge a specific matter.
The tribunal found the company guilty of misconduct.
Sara Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
Court
The residence or establishment of a sovereign or similar dignitary; a royal court.
The ambassadors were summoned to the court.
Harlon Moss
Oct 21, 2023
Tribunal
An assembly (including judges) to conduct judicial business.
Several war criminals were tried before the international tribunal.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 21, 2023
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Court
The place where justice is administered.
The decision of the court must be respected.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 21, 2023
Tribunal
Something that decides or determines.
For him, public opinion was the highest tribunal.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Court
The process of trying to win or attain something.
She was in court to win approval.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 21, 2023
Tribunal
A body established to settle certain types of dispute.
The employment tribunal ruled in her favor.
Janet White
Oct 21, 2023
Court
An extent of open ground partially or completely enclosed by walls or buildings; a courtyard.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
Abbr. Ct. A short street, especially a wide alley walled by buildings on three sides.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
The bench where a judge or other presiding judicial officer sits in court.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A large open section of a building, often with a glass roof or skylight.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
A committee or board appointed to adjudicate in a particular matter.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The place of residence of a sovereign or dignitary; a royal mansion or palace.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
Something that has the power to determine or judge
The tribunal of public opinion.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The retinue of a sovereign, including the royal family and personal servants, advisers, and ministers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
(legal) An assembly including one or more judges to conduct judicial business; a court of law.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A sovereign's governing body, including the council of ministers and state advisers.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
A kind of village hall used to transact business, to quarter troops and travellers, and to confine prisoners.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
The seat of a judge; the bench on which a judge and his associates sit for administering justice.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A person or body of persons that presides over the hearing of cases; a judge or panel of judges.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
Hence, a court or forum; as, the House of Lords, in England, is the highest tribunal in the kingdom.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Tribunal
An assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
(Sports) An open level area marked with appropriate lines, upon which a game, such as tennis, handball, or basketball, is played.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
To attempt to gain the favor of by attention or flattery
A salesperson courting a potential customer.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
An apartment building, or a small development of several apartment buildings.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The residence of a sovereign, prince, nobleman, or other dignitary; a palace.
The noblemen visited the queen in her court.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
Attention directed to a person in power; behaviour designed to gain favor; politeness of manner; civility towards someone
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered.
Many famous criminals have been put on trial in this court.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
One of the two divisions of a tennis, badminton or volleyball court, in which the player or players of each team play
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
(transitive) To seek to achieve or win.
He was courting big new accounts that previous salesman had not attempted.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
(transitive) To risk (a consequence, usually negative).
He courted controversy with his frank speeches.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
(transitive) To engage in behavior leading to mating.
The bird was courting by making an elaborate dance.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
(intransitive) To engage in activities intended to win someone's affections.
She's had a few beaus come courting.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
(intransitive) To engage in courtship behavior.
In this season, you can see many animals courting.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
Any formal assembling of the retinue of a sovereign; as, to hold a court.
The princesses held their court within the fortress.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The hall, chamber, or place, where justice is administered.
Most heartily I do beseech the courtTo give the judgment.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A place arranged for playing the game of tennis; also, one of the divisions of a tennis court.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
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.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
To invite by attractions; to allure; to attract.
A well-worn pathway courted usTo one green wicket in a privet hedge.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
An assembly (including one or more judges) to conduct judicial business
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A specially marked area within which a game is played;
Players had to reserve a court in advance
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A room in which a law court sits;
Television cameras were admitted in the courtroom
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A yard wholly or partly surrounded by walls or buildings;
The house was built around an inner court
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The residence of a sovereign or nobleman;
The king will visit the duke's court
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
A hotel for motorists; provides direct access from rooms to parking area
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
Australian woman tennis player who won many major championships (born in 1947)
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
Engage in social activities leading to marriage;
We were courting for over ten years
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 13, 2023
Court
The persons assembled to conduct judicial business.
The court was divided in its verdict.
Sara Rehman
Oct 21, 2023
FAQs
Do tribunals follow the same evidence rules as courts?
Often not; they're usually less stringent.
Harlon Moss
Nov 17, 2023
Are court proceedings public?
Typically, yes, unless deemed otherwise for special reasons.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Do tribunals have less formal procedures?
Yes, they're often more flexible than courts.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Can non-lawyers represent you in tribunals?
Often, yes, representation rules are less strict.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
What's a court of last resort?
The highest court in a jurisdiction, no further appeals.
Janet White
Nov 17, 2023
Do all legal disputes go to court?
No, some can be settled privately or in tribunals.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
How broad is a court's jurisdiction?
It varies, but courts generally have wide-ranging authority.
Sara Rehman
Nov 17, 2023
Are judges required in court?
Yes, judges or magistrates preside over proceedings.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Are tribunals government-run?
They can be, or established by private entities.
Sawaira Riaz
Nov 17, 2023
Is expertise common in tribunals?
Yes, they often require specific legal or subject knowledge.
Aimie Carlson
Nov 17, 2023
Are court rulings final?
They can be appealed unless it's the highest court's decision.
Harlon Moss
Nov 17, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
