Newsletter No. 183
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FreePint
"Helping 72,000 people use the Web for their work"
http://www.freepint.com/
ISSN 1460-7239 26th May 2005 No.183
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Fully-formatted full-colour edition available at:
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/260505.htm>
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IN THIS ISSUE
-------------
EDITORIAL
By William Hann
MY FAVOURITE TIPPLES
By Stephen Lee
FREEPINT BAR
In Association with Factiva
a Dow Jones & Reuters Company
JINFO :: JOBS IN INFORMATION
Team Librarian
Information Officer
Research Assistant
Researcher
TIPS ARTICLE
"Bullying at Work"
By Sam Vaknin
BOOKSHELF
"Complying with Freedom of Information Legislation:
A Guide for Practitioners"
By Steve Wood
By Ibrahim Hasan
FEATURE ARTICLE
"Specialist Tribunals - Your Guide to Informal Justice"
By David Ogden
EVENTS, GOLD AND FORTHCOMING ARTICLES
CONTACT INFORMATION
ONLINE VERSION WITH ACTIVATED HYPERLINKS
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/260505.htm>
FULLY FORMATTED VERSION
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/260505.pdf>
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*** Register for Search Tips from Factiva ***
Factiva's monthly newsletter, "InfoPro Alliance" gives you the inside
scoop on latest search tips, research tools and new sources.
Register today and you'll find credible information faster.
<http://www.factiva.com/emails/2005/freepinttext512>
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*** First review of China Insight in May VIP ***
The May issue of VIP includes the first extensive review of China
Insight. Newly launched by Xinhua Finance, it combines data on Chinese
publicly listed companies with software developed by Mergent. This
issue also carries an in-depth review of Mergent Online.
<http://www.vivaVIP.com/>
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*** ABOUT FREEPINT ***
FreePint is an online network of information searchers. Members
receive this free newsletter twice a month: it is packed with tips
on finding quality and reliable business information on the Internet.
Joining is free at <http://www.freepint.com/> and provides access to
a substantial archive of articles, reviews, jobs and events, with
answers to research questions and networking at the FreePint Bar.
Please circulate this newsletter, which is best read when printed out.
To receive a fully formatted version as an attachment or a brief
notification when it's online, visit <http://www.freepint.com/subs/>.
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EDITORIAL
By William Hann
Names are terribly important. They are usually the first thing you
learn about someone or something, and therefore form the foundation
for anything else you might subsequently discover.
The last editorial covered my feelings and concerns about the name
'FreePint' <http://www.freepint.com/go/n182>. In response to this I
received a number of concerned emails, including:
"I'd be very sad to see you lose the name 'FreePint'. We lose our
character and our distinctiveness if we try to conform to some
mid-Atlantic or mid-World compromise just because others use or
pronounce the words differently. So we're quirky Brits? Nothing
wrong with that, and anyone with any gumption will be interested in
the story behind the name."
Well, since 'FreePint' is a registered trademark and has been the
basis of seven year's hard work in reputation building, rest assured
that we have no intention of changing the name.
An important element of 'reputation' is customer service, and we're
delighted to open the voting for the fourth annual "Online
Information / FreePint Award for Best Customer Service Team".
The award is presented at the Online Information Conference and
Exhibition here in London at the end of the year, at which we will be
exhibiting as usual. You are now invited to nominate the best
customer service team from the list of exhibitors at:
<http://www.freepint.com/events/online-info-2005/>
Voting is all the rage nowadays, even in the information world, but
you can't beat a good old in-depth review of information products.
This month's edition of VIP has a scoop, with the first review of
China Insight (a tool for investors) alongside a review of Mergent
Online (international company and business research)
<http://www.vivaVIP.com/>.
Today's FreePint is also very much business-related, with an article
looking at resources for tribunals, and another on bullying at work.
So, we're proudly putting out a publication that's entirely work
oriented, yet we've called it 'FreePint'. Good name; terrible name.
Doesn't matter. It's a memorable name, and we're sticking with it ...
... and if you do want to know where the name came from, then see the
FreePint FAQs <http://www.freepint.com/help/>.
William Hann
Managing Editor and Founder, FreePint
e: william.hann@freepint.com
t: 0870 141 7474
i: +44 870 141 7474
FreePint is a Registered Trademark of Free Pint Limited (R) 1997-2005
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information. LexisNexis enables you to carry out investigations
quickly and comprehensively so you can truly 'Know Your Customer'.
Email response@lexisnexis.co.uk to register for a trial quoting B638.
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*** Shorten long URLs using a trusted provider ***
By using an unknown URL-shortening service provider, you
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MY FAVOURITE TIPPLES
By Stephen Lee
* The Plain English Campaign <http://www.plainenglish.co.uk> offers
useful guides to clear, concise writing. The A-Z of alternative
words is helpful when you're stuck, and the examples pages offer
salutary lessons!
* Bartleby.com <http://www.bartleby.com> provides free access to a
wide range of reference sources including dictionaries, thesauri,
style guides and encyclopaedias. Searchable by author, subject or
title.
* The Economist Style Guide
<http://www.economist.co.uk/research/StyleGuide/>. Advice on good
writing practice. Includes tips on how to avoid common errors and
solecisms, and an online quiz to test your writing skills.
* Useit.com <http://www.useit.com>. Jakob Nielsen's well known guide
to all aspects of usability, this site offers thought provoking
articles on everything from site architecture to the development of
web friendly content.
* And finally, Dilbert <http://www.dilbert.com>. My first stop in the
morning, Scott Adams' wry, subversive look at office life always
makes me smile, and often laugh out loud.
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Steve Lee is Web Content Manager for Consumer Direct
<http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk>, an advice service for consumers
in Great Britain, which is funded by the DTI.
Submit your top five favourite Web sites. See the guidelines at
<http://www.freepint.com/author.htm>.
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Sue Hill Recruitment Team - Experts in Information Recruitment
Put yourself in safe hands when seeking staff or job searching. The
team at Sue Hill Recruitment are knowledgeable on both information and
recruitment matters, and professionalism is their byword. If it is
time to recruit or time to move, it is time to talk to one of the Sue
Hill team. Go on. You know it makes sense!
Call: 020 7378 7068 e: jobs@suehill.com see: <http://www.suehill.com>
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*** Reward good customer service :: Nominate today ***
This is your chance to reward excellence by nominating
the online information vendor who, in your opinion, has
provided you with outstanding customer service.
Cast your vote for this year's "Online Information /
FreePint Award for Best Customer Service Team":
<http://www.freepint.com/events/online-info-2005/>
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FREEPINT BAR
<http://www.freepint.com/bar>
In Association with Factiva
a Dow Jones & Reuters Company
We have had a mixed bag of work-related postings at the FreePint Bar
in the last two weeks, and here is a selection.
There have been a lot of responses to the "Working in France" thread
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32163> and for the lady who is looking to
develop a legacy fundraising programme for St. John Ambulance
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32147>.
There has been a comment at the VIP Lounge from a company information
provider about data quality, if you have something to say about that
<http://www.vivavip.com/go/l127>. VIP's review of China Insight and
Mergent Online was announced <http://www.freepint.com/go/b32183> and
VIP Eye analysed the latest business information news
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32161>.
Do you know the best format for a disposal schedule
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32196> or perhaps you have something to
add to the postings about websites that rank all the local councils
according to unemployment, house prices, etc.?
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32180>.
One company is "planning a new website and will shortly invite
commercial suppliers to tender for design and technical support
services"; do you have experience of contracting out web-related
work? <http://www.freepint.com/go/b32193>. Can you help with an
unanswered posting about an accessibility project for a Web site?
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32021>.
How do you import book data into a Reference Manager database?
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32149>. Or where can a FreePinter find
mobile phone price plans, new product launches and uptake of new
mobile technology across individual European countries?
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32199>.
Many thanks to everyone who frequents the Bar. It's a great place to
go for answers -- even when looking for real Bars in London
<http://www.freepint.com/go/b32220>.
Penny Hann <penny.hann@freepint.com>
FreePint
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The FreePint Bar is where you can get free help with your tricky
research questions <http://www.freepint.com/bar>
Help with study for information-related courses is available at the
FreePint Student Bar <http://www.freepint.com/student>.
Twice-weekly email digests of the latest postings can be requested
at <http://www.freepint.com/subs/>.
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*** In-depth information management reports from FreePint ***
Topics include: Freedom of Information; Information Auditing;
Publishing eNewsletters; Acquiring Skills; Info-Entrepreneur Marketing
Read about the full range of reports from FreePint at:
<http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>
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JINFO :: JOBS IN INFORMATION
<http://www.jinfo.com/>
The Jinfo service enables you to search for and advertise
information-related job vacancies.
The Jinfo Newsletter is published free every two weeks, and contains
a list of the latest vacancies along with job seeking advice. The
latest editorial is entitled "Asking for feedback".
To read the latest Jinfo Newsletter and to subscribe to receive it
twice-monthly by email, visit <http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/>.
Here are some of the latest featured jobs:
Team Librarian
Calling all children's/school librarians - vacancies in Bournemouth,
Essex, London ... In public, school and FE college libraries
Recruiter: Sue Hill Recruitment
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j4034>
Information Officer
UK Healthcare division of US multi-national seeks friendly,
flexible, hard-working librarian/LIS graduate for small info centre.
Recruiter: 3M Pharma
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j4064>
Research Assistant
Business Researcher at junior level. Bright, confident person to
work in entrepreneurial niche consultancy in plush Central London
offices. Recruiter: Glen Recruitment
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j4065>
Researcher
A successful global law firm based in the City of London is seeking
a Researcher to join a team in the Knowledge Management dept
Recruiter: D A Solutions Ltd
<http://www.jinfo.com/go/j4067>
NB: There are 44 other jobs in the current edition of the Jinfo
Newsletter <http://www.jinfo.com/newsletter/> and over 80 in the
Jinfo database <http://www.jinfo.com/>.
[The above jobs are paid listings]
Jinfo -- the best place for information-related job vacancies.
* JOB SEARCHING -- Free search and sign up to the Jinfo Newsletter.
* RECRUITING -- Complete the form and advertise a vacancy for
only GBP195 <http://www.jinfo.com/recruit/>.
50% discount for registered charities. 10% discount for agencies.
Find out more today at <http://www.jinfo.com/>
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*** VIP, VIP Eye and VIP Wire :: Business information ***
VIP reviews information products; VIP Eye analyses the news;
VIP Wire lists the latest press releases.
Where else can you get such coverage of business information?
<http://www.vivavip.com/>
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TIPS ARTICLE
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/260505.htm#tips>
"Bullying at Work"
By Sam Vaknin
What is a Bully and what Constitutes Bullying?
----------------------------------------------
Tim Field of bullyonline.org defines workplace bullying as a
"persistent, unwelcome, intrusive behavior of one or more individuals
whose actions prevent others from fulfilling their duties". His Web
site <http://www.bullyonline.org/workbully/> is by far the best and
richest single resource about this phenomenon. It includes
psychological profiles and typology of offenders, tips, articles,
links, resources, and suggested reading. You can read an interview I
conducted with Tim Field here <http://digbig.com/4dmyw>.
Why Bully?
----------
Because the bully feels inadequate and, sometimes, threatened by his
own helplessness. The Open Site Encyclopedia
<http://open-site.org/Society/Issues/Violence_and_Abuse/Workplace/>
reminds us that the bully " ... (C)ompensates for it by being violent
- verbally, psychologically, or physically".
Contrary to public misperceptions, only some bullies suffer from
personality and other mental health disorders. These sorts - the
narcissist and the psychopath - have a strong sense of entitlement and
demand special treatment. Malignant narcissistic bullies are drama
queens and they seek attention, adulation, and applause (narcissistic
supply). All bullies lack empathy. Some bullies are stealthy - others
are rageful and envious. Bullies are exploitative. They treat other
people (their colleagues, partners, and co-workers) as mere
instruments of gratification to be discarded after having been abused.
There is a lot more about these types of (sick) bullies in this ABC
(Australian Broadcasting Corporation) special, "Psychopaths in Suits"
<http://www.abc.net.au/rn/talks/bbing/stories/s1158704.htm> and in
these two UPI articles I authored ...
<http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20021018-013859-4113r>
<http://www.upi.com/view.cfm?StoryID=20021021-101212-2299r>
... as well as here <http://www.narcissistic-abuse.com/faq81.html>.
The prevalence of narcissism in Wall Street is described in this New
York Post feature, "New Narc City" <http://digbig.com/4dmyx>.
Narcissists and psychopaths in positions of leadership are tackled in
this FreePint article <http://www.freepint.com/issues/240703.htm>.
Workplace bullies are everywhere, not only in management. The bully
can be your partner, co-worker, colleague, security guard, assistant,
apprentice, or secretary. Recent studies show that bullies form
networks and alliances. The bully confers patronage on his or her
"clients" and obsequiously caters to the needs of his superiors.
Antisocial behavior and white collar crime among bullies is common.
How to Spot a Bully?
--------------------
It is not as easy as it sounds. Many bullies are masters of disguise,
presenting a benign and benevolent facade to the world while they
harass, stalk, and intimidate their victims. Tips of All Sorts
<http://www.tipsofallsorts.com/bully.html> provides a list of warning
signs as do the previous resources mentioned.
Bullies are variously described as selfish, exploitative, rapacious,
opportunistic, driven, reckless, callous, insincere, haughty,
unreliable, lacking compassion and empathy, insensitive, ruthless,
intolerant, cold, erratic, violent, impatient, labile, unstable, and
untrustworthy. They invariably blame others for their failures,
defeats or misfortunes, get easily frustrated, anxious and bored,
and, as a result, lack self-discipline.
According to Tim Field's United Kingdom (UK) National Workplace
Bullying Advice Line, quoted by the Open Site Encyclopedia, "serial
bullies are emotionally immature and control freaks. They are
consummate liars and deceivingly charming. Bullies dress, talk, and
behave normally. Many of them are persuasive, manipulative, or even
charismatic. They are socially adept, liked, and often fun to be
around and the center of attention. Only a prolonged and intensive
interaction with them - sometimes as a victim - exposes their
dysfunctions."
This media guide provides valuable tools for identifying abusers
<http://members.aol.com/hrtrainer/guide-for-media.html>.
The Consequences of Workplace Bullying
--------------------------------------
As surveys in the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland and the USA
indicate, workplace physical violence is rare. But maltreatment has
many faces and 20% of all workers were exposed to verbal and emotional
abuse. Hard to believe, but workplaces actually reward bullies and
punish their victims by forcing them to resign. Many bullied workers
suffer from protracted ill-health and post-traumatic symptoms
(physical and mental health problems, fatigue, low functioning and
even suicide).
Bullying costs the economy an arm and a leg in direct and indirect
costs: healthcare expenditures, increased workloads, stunted
creativity, staff turnover, reduced productivity, absenteeism, and
corporate dysfunction. Some studies peg the numbers at circa USD40
billion in the UK and USD200 billion in the United States.
More about the disastrous outcomes of bullying (including issues in
discrimination and employment law) here:
<http://www.workplacebullying.co.uk/>
Another good resource is Bullies at Work
<http://www.bulliesatwork.co.uk/>.
Coping with Workplace Violence and Abuse
----------------------------------------
Workplace violence and abuse is not an isolated or aberrant
phenomenon. It is firmly grounded in a management-sanctioned corporate
culture of unbridled competition, denial, and malignant narcissism.
Surprisingly, few countries - such as Sweden and the United Kingdom -
tackle workplace bullying in specific legislation. Others treat it
with indifference and ignorance.
Recent events of corporate malfeasance led to increased awareness by
workers and bosses. Workplaces now educate their employees to
recognize abuse and teach them how to curtail it and cope effectively
with its distressing aftermath.
Companies now hire the services of industrial and organizational
psychologists - such as Robert Hare and Paul Babiak, who coined the
term "corporate psychopath" - to help them identify and reign in
dysfunctional workers and ameliorate and alter ambient abuse.
If you, your employees or colleagues suffer from bullying, here are
some resources to help you out:
Dealing with Workplace Violence - A Guide for Agency Planners
<http://www.opm.gov/ehs/workplac/>
Guidelines for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs
<http://nsi.org/Library/Work/violenc1.html>
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health offers this
publication online: "Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies of
workplace violence" <http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/violcont.html>.
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration in the Department of
Labor offers some Web resources, including great training materials
<http://www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/>.
Finally, you can find some chilling real-life experiences described in
this chat transcript from HealthyPlace <http://digbig.com/4dmpt>.
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Sam Vaknin <http://samvak.tripod.com> is the author of 'Malignant
Self Love - Narcissism Revisited' and 'After the Rain - How the West
Lost the East'. He served as a columnist for Central Europe Review,
PopMatters, Bellaonline, and eBookWeb, a United Press International
(UPI) Senior Business Correspondent, and the editor of mental health
and Central East Europe categories in The Open Directory and Suite101.
Until recently, he served as the Economic Advisor to the Government of
Macedonia. Visit Sam's Web site at <http://samvak.tripod.com>
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Related FreePint links:
* 'Employment/Recruitment/HR' articles in the FreePint Portal
<http://www.freepint.com/go/p43>
* Post a message to the author, Sam Vaknin, or suggest further
resources at the FreePint Bar <http://www.freepint.com/bar>
* Read this article online, with activated hyperlinks
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/260505.htm#tips>
* Access the entire archive of FreePint content
<http://www.freepint.com/portal/content/>
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FREEPINT BOOKSHELF
<http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf>
"Complying with Freedom of Information Legislation:
A Guide for Practitioners"
By Steve Wood
By Ibrahim Hasan
According to Home Office research, the net incremental cost of
implementing the Freedom of Information Act 2000(FOI) could be up to
GBP125 million a year. Many public sector organisations are struggling
with the resource implications of FOI and with trying to make sense of
the reams of legislation and guidance which has been produced by
various organisations.
In this climate, this publication is to be welcomed. Steve Wood, a
senior lecturer in Information Management at Liverpool John Moores
University, has produced a clear and concise guide to the murky legal
waters of FOI <http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>.
He explains the main provisions of the Act and codes of practice and
their impact on different parts of the public sector. He also examines
the links between FOI and other legislation such as the Data
Protection Act 1998, the Local Government Act 1972 and the new
Environmental Information Regulations 2004. Steve also looks at the
thorny issues which, I know from my training experience, public
authorities up and down the country are grappling with e.g. access to
deceased persons' records, copyright and commercially sensitive
information. However, the Guide does not get bogged down with the
minutiae of the legislation. Steve's approach is to point the reader
to other sources of information for more in depth analysis.
Throughout the Guide, reference is made to research and experience in
other jurisdictions which have freedom of information legislation,
particularly Australia and Canada. This is particularly helpful as,
currently, no decisions have been publicised by the Information
Commissioner. The Guide also draws on examples of requests and
refusals from various sectors (including the police, local government
and the NHS) making practical action points for the reader to
implement within his/her organisation. It also lists the various
guidance produced by a number of agencies including the Information
Commissioner's Office.
What is most useful are the lists, at the back of the Guide, of
websites, guidance, official reports and articles from the UK and
around the world. Of course these lists are not exhaustive and
up-to-date material can be found on Steve's excellent Freedom of
Information Blog <http://foia.blogspot.com>. To those seeking a no
nonsense practical guide to implementing Freedom of Information, I
would say that the GBP29 for this publication is money well spent.
The report is available at <http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>.
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Ibrahim Hasan is an information law expert with public sector training
company, Act Now Training <http://www.actnow.org.uk> Email:
<ibrahim@actnow.org.uk>
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Related FreePint links:
* Find out more about this report online at the FreePint Shop
<http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>
* "Complying with Freedom of Information Legislation: A guide for
Practitioners" ISBN 1-904769-09-8, published by FreePint.
* Search for and purchase any report from FreePint at:
<http://www.freepint.com/shop/report/>
* To read other information-related book reviews, visit the
FreePint Bookshelf at <http://www.freepint.com/bookshelf/>
To propose an information-related book for review, send details
to <support@freepint.com>.
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*** FreePint Newsletter Archive and Formatted Editions ***
A full archive of FreePint Newsletters is freely available online,
alongside fully-formatted editions of the newsletter. These are
printable, and include photos of the authors and colour advertising.
Check out the archive and have selected issues emailed to you:
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/>
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FEATURE ARTICLE
<http://www.freepint.com/issues/260505.htm#feature>
"Specialist Tribunals - Your Guide to Informal Justice"
By David Ogden
I recently began a new position as Head of Tribunal Library Services
at the Department for Constitutional Affairs. Major reforms are being
made to improve services to tribunal users which deserve to be
publicised. The law courts are supplemented by a large number of
specialist tribunals whose procedures tend to be less formal than that
of the courts but which provide specialist knowledge in particular
areas.
The Tribunals Service, a new government agency will be launched in
April 2006 to provide common administrative support for the main
central government tribunals. These reforms aim to improve the
services to all tribunal users. In particular, the Tribunals Service
will ensure that tribunals are fair, effective and efficient and
provide access to justice to all who require it.
The new Tribunal Service <http://www.tribunalsservice.gov.uk> aims to
deliver real benefits to over half a million people that currently use
the tribunal system. It is intended that most existing tribunals will
be unified under a single tribunal service agency.
The Department for Constitutional Affairs will, by 2008, be
responsible for tribunals that currently have a combined annual budget
of around GBP280m, receive almost 600,000 appeals each year, deploy
around 9000 members of the judiciary (both lay and professional) and
employ around 2900 staff.
Tribunals for Users - One System, One Service
<http://www.tribunals-review.org.uk/leggatthtm/leg-00.htm>. See the
review by Sir Andrew Leggatt into the delivery of justice through
Tribunals, published in August 2001.
I have arranged the tribunals in this article into six groups:
1. Department for Constitutional Affairs provides administrative
support for the following tribunals:
Asylum and Immigration Tribunal
<http://www.ait.gov.uk>
The Asylum and Immigration Tribunal is the successor to the
Immigration Appellate Authority and the Immigration Appeals Tribunal.
The Tribunal was set up under the Asylum and Immigration (Treatment of
Claimants etc) Act 2004 and came into being on 4th April 2005. The
purpose of the Tribunal is to hear and decide appeals against
decisions made by the Home Office in matters of asylum, immigration
and nationality.
Finance and Tax Tribunals
<http://www.financeandtaxtribunals.gov.uk>
This tribunal website supports the work of Vat and Duties Tribunals,
Special Commissioners, Financial Services & Markets Tribunal and
Pensions Regulator Tribunal. This site has been designed to meet the
needs of those wishing to appeal against decisions of HM Customs &
Excise and the Inland Revenue or to refer matters relating to certain
decisions of the Financial Services Authority and the Pensions
Regulator.
Immigration Services Tribunal
<http://www.immigrationservicestribunal.gov.uk>
Hears appeals against decisions made by the Office of the Immigration
Services Commissioner and considers disciplinary charges brought
against immigration advisors by the Commissioner.
Information Tribunal
<http://www.dca.gov.uk/foi/inftrib.htm>
The remit of the Tribunal is to hear appeals by data controllers
against notices issued by the Information Commissioner under the Data
Protection Act 1998, usually enforcement notices. The Tribunal can now
also hear appeals against enforcement notices or information notices
issued by the Commissioner in regard to publication schemes under the
Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Data Protection Tribunal,
originally established by the Data Protection Act 1984, and continued
by the Data Protection Act 1998, was renamed the Information Tribunal
by the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Data Protection Act 1998
<http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/19980029.htm>
Freedom of Information Act 2000
<http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000036.htm>
Lands Tribunal
<http://www.landstribunal.gov.uk>
Determines questions of disputed compensation arising out of the
compulsory acquisition of land, decides rating appeals, exercises
jurisdiction under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925
(discharge and modification of restrictive covenants), and acts as
arbitrator under references by consent.
Pensions Appeal Tribunals
<http://www.pensionsappealtribunals.gov.uk>
Hears appeals from ex-servicemen or women who have had their claims
for a War Pension rejected by the Secretary of State for Defence. The
jurisdiction of the Tribunals only includes England & Wales - Scotland
and Northern Ireland have separate Tribunals. The Pensions Appeal
Tribunals are independent of the Veterans Agency. The Tribunals have
been set up in their present form since 1943, although they have been
in existence as part of the Lord Chancellor's responsibility since the
War Pensions Act 1919.
Social Security and Child Support Commissioners
<http://www.osscsc.gov.uk>
Decides appeals on points of law from the Appeals Tribunals in Social
Security, Tax Credit, Child Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax
Benefit cases. They also decide appeals relating to compensation
recovery cases and cases which have been referred to them under the
Forfeiture Act. Excellent database of Commissioners decisions.
Transport Tribunal
<http://www.transporttribunal.gov.uk>
The Transport Tribunal has three jurisdictions. It was originally set
up to hear appeals against decisions of Traffic Commissioners in
connection with the Heavy Goods Vehicles & Public Service Vehicles
Operators Licensing Systems. It also hears appeals against decisions
of The Registrar of Approved Driving Instructors. In addition, it is
able to resolve disputes under the Postal Services Act 2000
<http://www.opsi.gov.uk/acts/acts2000/20000026.htm>.
Members of the Transport Tribunal also act as the London Service
Permit Appeals Panel.
2. Tribunals due to join the Tribunals Service in 2006. The tribunals
listed above will be joined initially by the following tribunals
which will transfer from their current sponsoring departments:
The Employment Tribunals Service
<http://www.ets.gov.uk>
Provides administrative support to the Employment Tribunals and the
Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Employment Tribunals
<http://www.employmenttribunals.gov.uk/default.asp>
Resolve disputes between employers and employees over employment
rights.
Employment Appeal Tribunal
<http://www.employmentappeals.gov.uk>
A Superior Court of Record dealing with appeals from the decisions of
the Employment Tribunals.
The Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal for England
<http://www.sendist.gov.uk/index.cfm>
Parents whose children have special educational needs can appeal to
the Tribunal against decisions made by local education authorities in
England and Wales about their children's education. The Tribunal is
independent of both central and local Government.
The Appeals Service
<http://www.appeals-service.gov.uk>
Launched in 2000, this tribunal hears appeals on decisions in regard
to Social Security; Child Support; Housing Benefit; Council Tax
Benefit; Vaccine Damage; Tax Credit; and Compensation Recovery. The
Appeals Service consists of two distinct bodies within a single
organisation. The first is a tribunal non-departmental public body
with responsibility for the judicial functioning of appeals tribunals.
It is headed by the President of appeals tribunals. The second is an
executive agency of the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Mental Health Review Tribunal
<http://www.mhrt.org.uk/mhrt/mhrtweb.nsf>
Hears applications or references concerning people detained under the
Mental Health Act 1983. The Mental Health Review Tribunal consists of
two distinct bodies within a single organisation. The first body is a
Judicial Tribunal with the responsibility for hearing applications or
references concerning people detained under the Mental Health Act
1983. The Tribunal members are appointed by the Department of
Constitutional Affairs. There is a Liaison Judge appointed to the
Tribunal to lead its development. The second body is the Mental Health
Review Tribunal Secretariat. This is staffed by members of the
Department of Health, and has responsibility for the administration of
the Tribunals.
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Appeals Panel
Determines appeals against decisions made by the Criminal Injuries
Compensation Authority.
3. Smaller tribunals expected to join the Tribunals Service in the
future:
Agricultural Land Tribunal
<http://www.defra.gov.uk/rds/alt/default.htm>
An independent statutory body that is mainly involved in settling a
limited range of disputes between agricultural tenants and landlords.
Asylum Support Adjudicators
<http://www.asylum-support-adjudicators.org.uk>
Considers appeals against decisions by the National Asylum Support
Service refuse to provide or to stop providing support to asylum
seekers.
Care Standards Tribunal
<http://www.carestandardstribunal.gov.uk>
Hears appeals against decisions to include the names of individuals on
the list of those considered unsuitable to work or to bar a person's
employment in schools.
Family Health Services Appeal Authority
<http://www.fhsaa.org.uk/fhsaa/index.html>
Aims to improve the provision of healthcare by ensuring prompt, fair
and reasoned resolution of disputes within the National Health Service.
4. Other tribunal web sites:
National Parking Adjudication Service
<http://www.parking-appeals.gov.uk/welcomeEN.asp>
Parking Adjudicators for areas outside London. Considers appeals by
motorists and vehicle owners whose vehicles have been issued with
Penalty Charge Notices (or have been removed or clamped) by councils
in England and Wales enforcing parking under the Road Traffic Act
1991.
Parking and Traffic Appeals Service
http://www.rpts.gov.uk/html/whatwedo.htm>
Helps landlords and tenants and leaseholders settle disputes about
rents and about leasehold property.
Valuation Tribunal Service
<http://www.valuation-tribunals.gov.uk>
Hears appeals about Non-Domestic Rates and Council Tax.
5. The Department for Constitutional Affairs is also responsible for
the following tribunals: Pathogens Access Appeals Commission ,
Proscribed Organisations Appeals Commission , Special Immigration
Appeals Commission. It also supports the Adjudicator to HM Land
Registry and the Gender Recognition Panel <http://www.grp.gov.uk>
although these bodies are not technically tribunals.
6. Council on Tribunals <http://www.council-on-tribunals.gov.uk>
Supervises the constitution and working of Tribunals and Inquiries in
England, Scotland and Wales as listed in the Tribunals and Inquiries
Act 1992.
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David Ogden is currently Head of Tribunal Library Services at the
Department for Constitutional Affairs, based in London. His previous
positions include VSO Librarian at Assiut University, Egypt and a wide
variety of information roles at City law firms including Clifford
Chance and Cameron McKenna. He joined the Immigration Appellate
Authority in 2002, taking up his present position earlier this year.
His personal interests include genealogy and military history. He may
be contacted at <david.ogden2@dca.gsi.gov.uk>.
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