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noun Common

tribunal

treye-BYOO-nuhl
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Tribunal (noun) means a panel or court, often with one or more judges, set up to hear and decide legal or formal disputes. Example: “She took her complaint to a tribunal after the dispute remained unresolved.”

noun
1
A panel or court, often with one or more judges, set up to hear and decide legal or formal disputes.
"She took her complaint to a tribunal after the dispute remained unresolved."
"The tribunal heard evidence from both sides before announcing its decision."
"The employment tribunal ruled in favor of the dismissed worker."

How to use tribunal

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn official body that hears and settles disputes, similar to a court but often for a specific area like employment or immigration.

Common pairings
employment tribunal war crimes tribunal appear before a tribunal
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Word forms

Plural
tribunals
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She took her complaint to a _____ after the dispute remained unresolved.

Etymology

From Latin tribunal, originally the raised platform where a Roman magistrate sat, itself derived from tribus, "tribe."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for tribunal

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Frequently asked questions

What does “tribunal” mean?
The word “tribunal” means a panel or court, often with one or more judges, set up to hear and decide legal or formal disputes. In plain terms, an official body that hears and settles disputes, similar to a court but often for a specific area like employment or immigration.
How do you pronounce “tribunal”?
“Tribunal” is pronounced treye-BYOO-nuhl (/tɹaɪˈbjunəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tribunal” in a sentence?
Here is “tribunal” used in a sentence: “The employment tribunal ruled in favor of the dismissed worker.”
What part of speech is “tribunal”?
“Tribunal” is a noun.
Where does the word “tribunal” come from?
The word “tribunal” comes from Latin. From Latin tribunal, originally the raised platform where a Roman magistrate sat, itself derived from tribus, "tribe.".
Is “tribunal” a common word?
“Tribunal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a tribunal and a court?
A court is part of the ordinary judicial system and hears a broad range of legal cases, while a tribunal is usually a specialised body set up to decide a particular type of dispute, such as employment or tax matters. Tribunals are often less formal than courts and may include expert members alongside or instead of judges.
What kinds of cases does a tribunal handle?
Tribunals typically deal with specialised or administrative disputes, such as employment disagreements, immigration claims, benefits decisions, or tax appeals. The exact remit depends on the tribunal, since each is established to hear a specific category of case.
Who sits on a tribunal?
A tribunal may be led by one or more judges, and it often includes lay members or specialists with knowledge relevant to the disputes it hears. This mix is intended to bring both legal and practical expertise to the decision.
What is the plural of tribunal?
The plural is "tribunals," formed simply by adding -s. For example, "employment tribunals decide many workplace disputes each year."

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