The proposal outlined in Section 4 of this document seeks to create an integrated tribunal structure under the judicial leadership of the Lord President of the Court of Session.
Our intention is to create a system that meets best practice principles of justice; delivers efficiencies from public sector simplification and integration; and creates a stable platform for the integration of future tribunal responsibilities.
The tribunals under consideration in this consultation are all public services in Scotland. Most of them have been established to resolve disputes in a way that provides legal and non?legal expertise in subjects such as housing, health, land and education. Some of them were established in order to relieve the civil courts of a particular caseload burden.
Response to:
The Scottish Government Proposals for a New Tribunal System for Scotland
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (the College) is pleased to respond to the consultation on the Scottish Government’s Proposals for a New Tribunal System for Scotland.
The College has the following general comments on reform of the tribunals system:
- The College welcomes the government's proposals:
- to create an integrated tribunals system in Scotland and enhance the independence of tribunal decision-making;
- to provide greater consistency in appointing and remunerating tribunal members as well as determining tribunal processes.
- to provide a more coherent framework for tribunals that should aim to improve the quality of the tribunals system for the benefit of users of the service.
- developing a clearer, simpler and more effective system, which at the same time, will be sensitive to the specialist expertise required for specific tribunals e.g. in relation to NHS Tribunals and the Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland.
- The College believes that appropriate ongoing training and development will be required for the judiciary/tribunal members and the involvement of expert advisers where appropriate.