Pressure on tribunals

“Flexibility” has enabled tribunals to be more representative of the general population, according to the Senior President of Tribunals’ annual report.

More than 40% of tribunal judges and members are women, while 10% are from a black, asian and minority ethnic background. Senior President, Sir Jeremy Sullivan attributed this to the fact a number of fee-paid opportunities allow “aspiring judges to experience a judicial role while combining it with other responsibilities”.

However, Mr Justice Charles, President of the Administrative Appeals Chamber, highlighted the fact a grading review that recommended tribunal judges be moved up the pay-scale two years ago has still not been put into effect.

Meanwhile, the workload was increasing, and the introduction of universal credit and other changes to social security is predicted to cause a “significant increase” in work, he said.

Charles J said: “Unsurprisingly, given its dedication and recognition of the present economic problems of the country, this damage has not yet had a knock-on effect on the performance of this chamber. But, if as is expected the workload of the chamber continues to increase, the potential for it having an adverse effect on that performance and on the recruitment of new judges cannot be ignored.”