As can be seen in other postings, EDDC’s representative is due to appear at Exeter Magistrate’s Court at 10 am on Thursday 28 August as the council has refused to make public information about its relocation even though the Information Commissioner has said that they should do so.  It has been decided that this will be decided by a “First Tier Tribunal”.  Here is the official explanation of what that means:

Tribunals are specialist judicial bodies which decide disputes in particular areas of law.

“Appeals to tribunals are generally against a decision made by a Government department or agency. The exception to this is the Employment Tribunal where cases are on a party v party basis (i.e. employee versus employer).

There are tribunals in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland covering a wide range of areas affecting day-to-day life. HM Courts & Tribunals administers many of them although some are the responsibility of the devolved governments in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Appeals to the First-tier Tribunal are against the decisions from government departments and other public bodies. The Upper Tribunal hears appeals from the First-tier Tribunal on points of law i.e. an appeal made over the interpretation of a legal principle or statute. Further appeals may be made, with permission, to the Court of Appeal.

Tribunal judges are legally-qualified. Tribunal members are specialist non-legal members of the panel and include doctors, chartered surveyors, ex-service personnel or accountants. Tribunals often sit as a panel comprising a judge and non-legal members however in some jurisdictions cases may be heard by a judge or member sitting alone.

Tribunals adopt procedures that are less complicated and more informal than those typically associated with the courts.”

Source: http://www.justice.gov.uk/about/hmcts/tribunals