Quasi-judicial body

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;
• 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;
• 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.

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:

• National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT)
• Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)
• Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT)
• Assessing authorities under the Income Tax Laws
• Authorities O/o Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) posted in various states under Labour 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)
• Employees' state Insurance Corporation
• Juvenile Justice Board

United Kingdom

• Parades Commission
• Local planning committees
• Sheriffs Principal in Scotland
• Financial Services Authority

United States

• Civil Aeronautics Board (defunct as of 1985)
• 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 Officer of Nepal
• Federal Judicial Administration Council (Ethiopia)
• African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
• World Trade Organization Dispute Settlement