A tribunal will usually have one legal member, who has a minimum of 5 years legal experience and two specialist members who have knowledge and experience in health, education, social work. Sometimes, a legal member will sit on their own in certain types of cases.
Hearings can be conducted in-person, online or a mixture of both. Witnesses can give written evidence and speak to the tribunal in person, online or by telephone if they are unable to attend in person.
We hold hearings throughout Scotland at locations best suited to the child or young person and parties. Most hearings start at 10 am and finish no later than 4 pm. We have bespoke sensory hearing centres in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness. We also have mobile sensory hearing facilities which can be set up in other venues in other areas of Scotland.
Where we have sensory hearing centre, like the Glasgow Tribunals Centre, these are purpose-built and designed to reduce sensory overload.
The legal member will decide how much time is needed for the hearing when deciding dates. You will be told the date(s), time and location of the hearing in advance.
Special Requirements
Please let us know if anyone attending the hearing has special requirements.
If a party or a witness needs an interpreter for the hearing, we will arrange this. Please contact the case officer if an interpreter is needed as soon as possible.
