Most tribunals are not overseen by any governing body, Policy and Reform Minister Chris Thomas has confirmed.

Replying to a Tynwald question for written answer, tabled by Juan Watterson (Rushen), Mr Thomas said most tribunals were constituted under the 2006 Tribunals Act.

’They are individual bodies which are not overseen by any organisation or individual due to their independent nature,’ he said.

’In addition, tribunals are independent from the courts.’

The Council of Ministers can make rules covering the practice or procedure of a tribunal, however.

Tribunal members are selected by the independent Appointments Commission. That, in turn, consists of five people appointed by the Council of Ministers, subject to Tynwald approval.

’As the appointing body, the Appointments Commission may investigate any complaint in respect of a member of a tribunal in accordance with its procedures,’ he said.

There can also be provision made for a party to a tribunal to appeal to the high court on a point of law. Otherwise, an aggrieved party may be able to issue a petition of doleance claim to the high court.

The government is due to start work next year on its pledge to ’improve the operation of the tribunal system’.