Applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
About the tribunal
The First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (the tribunal) is part of the His Majesty’s Courts and Tribunals Service. There are usually three members in each tribunal:
- a lawyer, who is often the chairman
- a valuer
- a layperson (someone without specialised knowledge of the matter being decided)
The tribunal is completely independent and impartial. There are five regionally based tribunal offices (London, Northern, Midland, Eastern and Southern).
The overriding objective
The tribunal’s practice and procedure are governed by their overriding objective, which is to make sure they deal with cases fairly. The objective includes:
- dealing with a case in a way that is proportionate to how important it is to those involved, how complicated the issues are, the expected costs and the resources of the people involved (and of the tribunal)
- avoiding unnecessary formality and trying to be flexible in the proceedings
- making sure that, as far as possible, everyone involved is able to take part fully in the proceedings
- using the tribunal’s special expertise effectively
- avoiding delay as far as is possible while still considering the issues properly
Everyone involved in the proceedings must help the tribunal to achieve the overriding objective and must co-operate with the tribunal generally.
Tribunal hearings and decisions
The tribunal will hear both sides of the argument and then decide based on the evidence and the judgment and experience of the tribunal members. The tribunal may tell you their decision at the hearing, but even if they do this they must, as soon as reasonably possible after making their decision (and usually within six weeks), give both sides a notice of their decision along with written reasons for it.
Tribunal hearings are open to the public and people can see their decisions at the tribunal offices.
Decisions from December 2018 onwards are published on GOV.UK.
Alternative dispute resolution
Where appropriate, the tribunal should try to let everyone involved know about any other procedure that is available and appropriate for settling the dispute (for example, mediation), and should try to use the other procedure if either side asks them to.
- Last updated:
- 11 May 2025
- Next review:
- 18 December 2026