In Brief
The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of tribunals as a valid adjudicatory system but struck down the 2020 Tribunal Rules for violating judicial independence. The Court directed comprehensive reforms: establishing a National Tribunals Commission as an independent body; ensuring judicial dominance in appointment committees; fixing minimum five-year tenure with reappointment eligibility; making advocates with 10 years' standing eligible for appointment; providing adequate housing or enhanced allowances; and completing appointments within three months. The Court emphasized that tribunals, while supplementary to courts, must remain free from executive control to maintain public confidence and fulfill their constitutional role in the justice system. The judgment applies prospectively from 12.02.2020 and saves prior appointments."
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