Quasi-judicial body
Administrative law |
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A quasi-judicial body is a non-judicial body which can interpret law. It is an entity such as an
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
The decisions of such a body are often made after a quasi-judicial proceeding, which may resemble a court.
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 evidenceand 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 predetermined 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
Some non-constitutional bodies that are quasi-judicial in nature:[2]
- National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
- Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
- Assessing authorities under the Income Tax Laws
- National Human Rights Commission
- National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission
- Competition Commission of India
- Appellate Tribunal for Electricity
- Railway Claims Tribunal
- Intellectual Property Appellate Tribunal
- Banking Ombudsman
- National Green Tribunal
- Central Information Commission
- Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
- Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
- Employees Provident Fund Organization
- Election Commission of India (ECI)
United Kingdom
- Parades Commission
- Planning Committee
- Sheriffs Principal in Scotland
- Financial Services Authority
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 including the Patent Trial and Appeal Board
- Local Zoning Board of Appeals
- National Labor Relations Board
- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Federal Election Commission
- Federal Trade Commission
- International Trade Commission
Other
- Parole boards
- Commission of Inquiry
- United Nations Human Rights Committee
- Court of Arbitration for Sport
- Philippines Commission on Elections
- National Privacy Commission (Philippines)
- European Patent Office
- National Labor Relations Commission
- New Zealand's Broadcasting Standards Authority
- Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority
- Chief District Officerof Nepal
- Federal Judicial Administration Council (Ethiopia)
- African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
- World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement
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.