Quasi-judicial body

A quasi-judicial body is a non-judicial body which can interpret law. It is an entity such as an Arbitration panel or tribunal board, that can be a public administrative agency but also a contract- or private law entity, which has been given powers and procedures resembling those of a court of law or judge, and which is obliged to objectively determine facts and draw conclusions from them so as to provide the basis of an official action. Such actions are able to remedy a situation or impose legal penalties, and they may affect the legal rights, duties or pri of specific parties.^[1]

Powers

Such bodies usually have powers of adjudication in such matters as:

• breach of discipline
• conduct rules
• trust in the matters of money or otherwise

Their powers are usually limited to a very specific area of expertise and authority, such as land use and zoning, financial markets, employment law, public standards, and/or a specific set of regulations of an agency.^[1]

Differences from judicial bodies

There are some key differences between judicial and quasi-judicial bodies, in that:

• Judicial decisions are bound by precedent in common law, whereas quasi-judicial decisions usually are not so bound;
• In the absence of precedent in common law, judicial decisions may create new law, whereas quasi-judicial decisions must be based on conclusions of existing law;^[1]
• Quasi-judicial bodies need not always follow strict judicial rules of evidence and procedure;
• Quasi-judicial bodies must hold formal hearings only if mandated to do so under their governing laws, regulations or agreements;^[1]
• Quasi-judicial bodies, unlike courts, may be a party in a matter and issue a decision thereon at the same time, depending on the specifically governing rules.

Decisions

In general, decisions of a quasi-judicial body require findings of facts to reach conclusions of law that justify the decision. They usually depend on a pre-determined set of guidelines or criteria to assess the nature and gravity of the permission or relief sought, or of the offense committed. Decisions of a quasi-judicial body are often legally enforceable under the laws of a jurisdiction; they can be challenged in a court of law, which is the final decisive authority.^[1]

List of quasi-judicial bodies

The following is a partial list of quasi-judicial bodies:

Canada

• Canadian International Trade Tribunal
• Canadian Transportation Agency
• Ontarian committees of adjustment
• Ontario Municipal Board
• Trademarks Opposition Board
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

India

• Consumer Court (India)
• National Company Law Tribunal (India)
• Company Law Board
• Election Commission of India
• Finance Commission

United Kingdom

• Parades Commission
• Planning Committee
• Sheriffs Principal in Scotland
• Financial Services Authority
• Authorities under section 7A and 14B of EPF & MP Act 1952

United States

• United States Merit Systems Protection Board
• Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission
• Californian planning commissions
• California Coastal Commission
• Federal Aviation Administration
• US Patent & Trademark Office^[2] including the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences
• Local Zoning Board of Appeals
• National Labor Relations Board
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• Federal Election Commission
• Federal Trade Commission

Other

• Parole Board
• Commission of Inquiry
• Human Rights Committee
• Court of Arbitration for Sport
• Philippines Commission on Elections
• European Patent Office
• National Labor Relations Commission
• New Zealand's Broadcasting Standards Authority
• Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority
• Chief District Officer of Nepal

Further reading

• Mashaw, Jerry L., Richard A. Merrill, and Peter M. Shane. 1992. Administrative Law: The American Public Law System; Cases and Materials. 3d ed. St. Paul, Minn.: West.

References