It is high time that we also looked afresh at the whole system of administrative justice, which has a colossal impact on the lives of well over 470,000 people every year. It is astonishing to see the extent to which tribunals have expanded since they were last reviewed in 1957. Tribunals have been joined by Ombudsmen and many other regulatory bodies, which have similar judicial functions. The administrative justice system now handles more cases than the civil courts. Some are based on a presidential structure, some are regional.
Some panels are legally qualified.
Some are not. Some are very formal, with legal representation common. Many are not. Our drive for a more modern, integrated Government, puts the emphasis on what the user needs, not the provider. We must ensure that tribunals really are seen to be entirely independent of Government.