About the tribunals
There are many different tribunals throughout government. Most are part of the main courts system but some are separate bodies. Tribunals are less formal than courts and are not restricted by the rules of evidence which determine what types of evidence can be considered. Below you will find a brief outline of Queensland's tribunals.A Civil and Administrative Tribunal is to be established in Queensland. The newly amalgamated tribunal will provide a single gateway to increase the community's access to justice. It will increase efficiency and quality of decision-making through an enhanced administrative structure. An independent panel has been established to provide advice on how best to implement the amalgamated tribunal. To learn more, visit the Civil and Administrative Tribunal page.
The Anti-Discrimination Tribunal hears complaints of discrimination which have been referred to it by Queensland's Anti-Discrimination Commissioner. To learn more, visit the Anti-Discrimination Tribunal website.
The Office of the Commissioner for Body Corporate and Community Management recently joined the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. It provides dispute resolution and information services to the community titles sector which includes high rise apartment buildings, townhouse complexes, shopping complexes and business parks. It was established under the Body Corporate and Community Management Act 1997. To learn more, visit the Body Corporate and Community Management page.
The Children Services Tribunal looks into government decisions about children and young people in the care of the Department of Child Safety. It gives you the right to have your say on these decisions in an informal and less structured way than a court. To learn more, visit the Children Services Tribunal page.
The Commercial and Consumer Tribunal recently joined the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. It provides dispute resolution services for a wide range of industry groups and consumers including architects, body corporate and community management, builders, building and construction industry adjudicators, building certifiers, disability services, engineers, liquor and wine licensees, lotteries, manufactured home owners, motor dealers, property agents, plumbers and drainers, residential services providers, retirement village residents and tourism service providers. To learn more, visit the Commercial and Consumer Tribunal website.
The Guardianship and Administration Tribunal has the authority to appoint guardians and administrators for adults with impaired decision-making capacity. For more information visit the GAAT website. To learn more, visit the Guardianship and Administration Tribunal website.
The Land and Resources Tribunal deals with disputes about proposed resoruce development and other land management issues. The tribunal merged with the Land Court on 21 September 2007. All matters have been transferred to the Land Court, except for applications lodged under the Mineral Resources Act 1989 by 31 March 2003 to which native title (mining) provisions apply. To learn more, visit the Land and Resources Tribunal website.
The Misconduct Tribunal can be established under Queensland law to hear and decide charges of a disciplinary nature of official misconduct against members of the police service and public service and appeals from particular decisions about charges of a disciplinary nature made against members of the police service and public service. For more information, see the Misconduct Tribunals Act 1997 on the Queensland Parliamentary Counsel website.
The Retail Shop Leases Registry and Tribunal recently joined the Department of Justice and Attorney-General. It administers the Retail Shop Leases Act 1994 which outlines the basic rules on which retail shop leases are drawn. The Act also provides for the resolution of retail tenancy disputes through mediation and tribunal hearing processes. To learn more, visit the Retail Shop Leases Registry and Tribunal page.
The Salaries and Allowances Tribunal decided whether the salary and allowances of a judge, industrial commissioner or member of the Land Court, or a magistrate's salary should be changed. The tribunal was dissolved in November 2007 through the Judicial Remuneration Act 2007 which links the salaries of Queensland judicial officers to those of Federal Court judges and judicial allowances. Read the tribunal's 2006 report.
The Small Claims Tribunal deals with disputes between such people as consumers and tradespeople, landlords and tenants, or private individuals. To learn more, visit the Small Claims Tribunal page on the Queensland Courts website.
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