(1)There are established two tribunals to be known as—
(a)the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland,
(b)the Upper Tribunal for Scotland.
(2)The Tribunals mentioned in subsection (1) are referred to in this Act—
(a)respectively as—
(i)the First-tier Tribunal,
(ii)the Upper Tribunal,
(b)collectively as the Scottish Tribunals.
(3)The constitution, operation and administration of the Scottish Tribunals are as provided for by or under this Act or another Act.
(4)The jurisdiction, powers and other functions of the Scottish Tribunals are as conferred by or under this Act or another Act.
Commencement Information
I1S. 1 in force at 1.4.2015 by S.S.I. 2015/116, art. 2
(1)The Lord President is the Head of the Scottish Tribunals.
(2)In that capacity, the Lord President has the functions exercisable by him or her by virtue of this Act.
Commencement Information
I2S. 2 in force at 1.4.2015 by S.S.I. 2015/116, art. 2
(1)The following persons must uphold the independence of the members of the Scottish Tribunals—
(a)the First Minister,
(b)the Lord Advocate,
(c)the Scottish Ministers,
(d)members of the Scottish Parliament,
(e)all other persons with responsibility for matters relating to—
(i)the members of the Scottish Tribunals, or
(ii)the administration of justice,
where that responsibility is to be discharged only in or as regards Scotland.
(2)In particular, the First Minister, the Lord Advocate and the Scottish Ministers—
(a)must not seek to influence particular decisions of the members of the Scottish Tribunals through any special access to the members, and
(b)must have regard to the need for the members to have the support necessary to enable them to carry out their functions.
Commencement Information
I3S. 3 in force at 1.4.2015 by S.S.I. 2015/116, art. 2
(1)There is established the office to be known as that of President of the Scottish Tribunals.
(2)It is for the Lord President to assign a person to that office.
(3)An assignment of a person to that office continues for as long as the Lord President considers appropriate.
(4)The Lord President may nominate a Vice-President of the Upper Tribunal to act temporarily in that office—
(a)if a person assigned to that office is for the time being unable to act in it, or
(b)pending an assignment of a person to that office.
(5)A person assigned to that office under subsection (2) or nominated to act in it under subsection (4) must be a judge of the Court of Session (but may not be a temporary judge).
Commencement Information
I4S. 4(1)-(3) in force at 14.7.2014 by S.S.I. 2014/183, art. 2(a)
I5S. 4(4) in force at 1.4.2015 by S.S.I. 2015/116, art. 2
I6S. 4(5) in force at 14.7.2014 for specified purposes by S.S.I. 2014/183, art. 2(b)
I7S. 4(5) in force at 1.4.2015 in so far as not already in force by S.S.I. 2015/116, art. 2
(1)Under the headship of the Lord President, the President of Tribunals is the senior member of the Scottish Tribunals.
(2)The President of Tribunals has the functions exercisable by him or her by virtue of this Act.
(3)In this Act, a reference to the President of Tribunals is to the President of the Scottish Tribunals (and a reference to the office of President of Tribunals is to be read accordingly).
Commencement Information
I8S. 5 in force at 1.4.2015 by S.S.I. 2015/116, art. 2