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Trial courts and court tribunals

Both components of the judicial system, but serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.
Here's a differentiation between the two:

Trial Court:

Function:

Trial courts are the initial courts where legal disputes, both civil and criminal, are brought for
resolution. They are responsible for conducting trials, hearings, and proceedings to determine the
facts and apply the relevant laws to reach a verdict or judgment.

Jurisdiction:

Trial courts have general or specific jurisdiction over a wide range of cases, depending on their
level and type. They handle cases such as contract disputes, personal injury claims, family law
matters, and criminal trials.

Judges:

Trial courts are presided over by judges who make decisions on matters of law, oversee court
proceedings, and sometimes decide cases with the assistance of a jury.

Formality:

Trial courts follow formal legal procedures and rules of evidence to ensure a fair and impartial
trial. Parties present evidence, witnesses testify, and arguments are made before a final decision
is reached.

Court Tribunal:

Function:

Court tribunals, also known as administrative tribunals or specialized courts, are established to
handle specific types of cases or disputes that require expertise in a particular area of law or
specialized knowledge. They are created to address administrative and regulatory matters.

Jurisdiction:

Court tribunals have limited jurisdiction and deal with cases within their specialized field.
Examples of court tribunals include immigration tribunals, tax tribunals, employment tribunals,
and environmental tribunals.

Decision-Makers:

Court tribunals often have decision-makers who are experts in the specific area of law they
oversee, rather than traditional judges. These decision-makers may include administrative law
judges, experts in the relevant field, or specialized panels.

Flexibility:

Court tribunals may have more flexibility in their procedures and rules compared to formal trial
courts. They aim to provide quicker and more specialized resolutions to disputes within their
domain.

Trial courts handle a broad range of legal disputes and follow formal legal procedures, while court tribunals
are specialized in specific areas of law and offer more focused expertise in resolving disputes within their
jurisdiction

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