Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service
1st April 2011
The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service, has taken statutory responsibility for a further nine tribunals today as part of the tribunal reform programme.
These are:
• Mental Health Review Tribunal;
• Care Tribunal;
• Tribunal under Schedule 11 of the Health and Personal Social Services (NI) Order 1972;
• Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal;
• Lands Tribunal;
• Traffic Penalty Tribunal;
• Health and Safety Tribunal;
• Northern Ireland Valuation Tribunal; and
• Charities Tribunal.
The transfer marks another stage in the tribunal reform programme to create a unified administration for tribunals that is independent, efficient and user-focused.
The Transfer of Functions Order made by the First Minister and deputy First Minister acting jointly with the approval of the Minister of Justice and affirmed by the Assembly, prior to its dissolution, gave legal effect to the transfer of the tribunals to the Department of Justice on 1 April.
The NICTS also provides support in respect of UK wide tribunals sitting in Northern Ireland, including the Tax and VAT tribunals; Asylum and Immigration Tribunal and the Information Tribunal.
1. The Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service (NICTS) is an executive agency of the Department of Justice which administers all of Northern Ireland’s courts and most tribunals.
2. It is hoped that other tribunals such as the Industrial Tribunals and Fair Employment Tribunal and Appeals Tribunal will also transfer to the DOJ at a later date.
3. More information about the work of the tribunals administered by the NICTS, including contact details for each, can be found on our website at: http://www.courtsni.gov.uk/en-GB/Tribunals/
4. All media enquiries should be directed to:
Press Team
Communications Group
Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunals Service
Laganside House
23-27 Oxford Street
Belfast, BT1 3LA
Tel. 028 90412905
Email: pressteam@courtsni.gov.uk