The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council

The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council logo

01 November 2007

Improving the administrative justice system is the job of a new, independent advisory body which starts work today.

The Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council (AJTC), which replaces the Council on Tribunals, and its Scottish Committee were created by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.

The role of the AJTC will be to keep under review the administrative justice system as a whole, considering how it might be made more accessible, fair and efficient. It will seek to ensure that the relationships between the courts, tribunals, ombudsmen and alternative dispute resolution satisfactorily reflect the needs of users. It will also play an important role in overseeing tribunals.  

The AJTC will be chaired by the Right Honourable Lord Newton of Braintree OBE, DL and will consist of up to 15 appointed members.

Notes to Editors

  1. The AJTC is an independent advisory body sponsored by the Ministry of Justice. For more information visit the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council website. 
  2. The AJTC and its Scottish committee are established today. A Welsh Committee of the AJTC will be established in June 2008.
  3. Appointments to the AJTC are made with the consent of the Commissioner for Public Appointments and in accordance with the Commissioner's Code of Practice. 
  4. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration, Ann Abraham, is a member of the AJTC, and of the Scottish and Welsh Committees, by virtue of her office.
  5. The Scottish Committee will consist of up to 7 appointed members.  The Scottish Public Services Ombudsman is a member by virtue of her office. The Welsh Committee will consist of up to 5 appointed members.  The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales will be a member by virtue of his office.