Tribunal: meaning, definitions and examples

A tribunal is often used to describe a specific kind of court or committee, typically created to deal with particular types of cases such as labor disputes, military issues, or international law. It often has a more specialized and formal connotation.

• The case was heard by an international tribunal.
• A tribunal was established to investigate war crimes.

Court is a general term for a place where legal cases are heard and decided. It can refer to any kind of judiciary institution, from local courts to the Supreme Court. This term is widely recognized and used in everyday language.

• She has to appear in court next Monday.
• The case was taken to court by the plaintiff.

Judiciary refers to the system of courts and the judges who preside over them. It is often used to talk about the legal branch of government and its role in interpreting and applying the law. This term is more abstract and institutional.

• The judiciary plays a crucial role in upholding the rule of law.
• Reforms in the judiciary have been proposed to improve efficiency.

Panel refers to a group of people chosen to examine a particular issue or decide a specific type of case. It can be used in various contexts, like a panel of judges, experts, or jurors. This term is less formal and has broader applications beyond legal contexts.

• The dispute was reviewed by a panel of arbitrators.
• A panel of experts discussed the new policy changes.