There is no use denying the fact that people need some tool that will be able to help them to solve a certain problem or conflict which can appear between them. The existence of such a tool can be taken as the guaranty of success of the process of negotiations between all sides of the conflict. Moreover, the appearance of such a tool can serve as the evidence of the development of human society as the rule of force was replaced by the rule of law, and even people, who did not have real power, could be protected by it.
With this in mind, it should be said that the appearance of courts led to the further development of society. However, its evolution also resulted in the rise of the necessity of some more specified tools. Tribunals became this very remedy. Also, acting by existing laws, they, however, obtained some differences which influenced their functioning. Resting on these facts, it is possible to analyze institutions of courts and tribunals and their functioning in the UAE to define them and understand the main differences. Moreover, the attempt to determine their efficiency should also be made.
First of all, a clear definition of these two issues should be given. It should be said that the court is a more widespread notion which is often mentioned by people and, that is why almost every one has its idea about it. Nevertheless, modern science states that the court is “a person or body of persons having judicial authority to hear and resolve disputes in civil, criminal, ecclesiastical, or military cases” (Court, 2015, para. 1).
Moreover, according to some other definitions court is a tribunal, which, however, is more general. Nowadays, the court is one of the main means of dispute resolution. It helps to solve problems that appear in the course of interaction between different people and organizations. Its main peculiarities are the great role of lawyers, attention given to the formal side of the issue, and rules of evidence.
Tribunals, at the same time, are similar to courts, though they have certain peculiarities that make them different. Usually, under the term tribunal, a person or institution which has the authority to judge adjudicate on and resolve disputes is meant (Tribunal, n.d.). This term is less popular than court though, it is still efficient and its functioning helps to resolve different important questions and issues.
Moreover, being more specialized, tribunals can help a person to obtain the needed solution faster because of the peculiarities of their functioning. Very often tribunals are needed when a case is connected with a certain activity or field of knowledge which demands certain basic experience from the participants of the process. That is why, being the part of the legislative system, tribunal, however, is not the same as court and has some specific functions and peculiarities.
First of all, it should be said that the number of similarities between these two issues is great and very often it is difficult for people to differentiate between them. In the UAE, both courts and tribunals are important bodies which are also independent of executive and legislative bodies of governance. (Olivia, 2011). Moreover, they are both aimed at serving people to solve their problems. That is why peoples claims are of great importance for courts and tribunals. Additionally, both these institutions are not able to hide the main peculiarities of the process as they need to show some reasons which influenced taking a certain decision.
That is why courts and tribunals should be transparent for people to understand the peculiarities of their functioning. Finally, decisions of courts and tribunals can be appealed in some higher courts. It becomes obvious that there are many similarities, though, the number of differences is also great.
To begin with, it should be said in the UAE, like in the rest of the world, courts have a greater sphere of their influence. There are many fields in which they have the power to adjudicate, while tribunals are specialized (Tribunals VS. Courts, n.d.). They deal with certain fields to be more efficient and fast.
Additionally, tribunals are cheaper as a person does not have to pay court costs and fees of attorneys. Tribunals are also more informal. People and participants of the process do not have to dress according to some dress code and, that is why they can feel more comfortable. Moreover, there are always some professionals in a certain field who help to determine who is right and make a decision. Thus, at the same time, it should be said that in the UAE tribunals are less powerful than courts. They do not have the right to imprison a person or sentence him/her to some other strict punishment.
Resting on these facts, it is possible to say that there is a great number of differences between these institutions which are determined by the peculiarities of their functioning. It should be said that if a person has some problems connected with a certain sphere of activity, the tribunal will be a better choice for him/her as it can be more efficient. It should also be added that both these institutions have great importance in the UAE as they act as part of its judicial system and help to resolve different disputes which appear between people and organizations.
References
Court. (2015). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Web.
Olivia. (2011). Difference Between Court and Tribunal. Web.
Tribunal. (n.d.). In Oxford Dictionary. Web.
Tribunals VS. Courts. (n.d.). Web.