Tribunals for park home cases
How decisions are made by the property tribunal
Property tribunals in England and Wales use either:
- in-person hearings – where each party is given an opportunity to explain their case and ask questions by the chair of the tribunal
- paper hearings – the tribunal panel makes a decision in private based entirely on written evidence and submissions, without anyone attending in person
The format usually depends on how complex the case is.
You can request a paper hearing when you make your application. However, if you request a paper hearing:
- the tribunal may decide that an in-person hearing is needed
- the person or company you are bringing a case against can request a hearing, and the tribunal cannot refuse the request
They must give you 3 weeks’ notice for an in-person hearing.
Some cases might have an informal hearing (called a case management conference in England, and a pre-trial review in Wales) to find out if agreement can be reached before going to a hearing.
Site inspections
The tribunal members might visit and inspect the park home site before the hearing if either party asks for it or the tribunal thinks it is necessary. You’ll be told the date and time for the inspection.
At the inspection you can point out relevant issues on the site but you cannot discuss the case.
In-person hearings
Tribunal hearings are usually held near the park home site, or in the regional office. In London they are held at the London office.
Hearings are normally held in public.
The tribunal chair decides what happens, such as who speaks first. You will usually get a chance to sum up your case after the evidence has been heard.
The tribunal members may ask you questions. You can also ask questions if anything is not clear. But they cannot give legal advice.
At the hearing, the tribunal will make sure both sides understand what is happening and what the other side is saying, whether they have a representative or not.
You do not have to attend the hearing. If you do not attend, the tribunal will hear the case without you, using the evidence they have.
The decision of the tribunal
The tribunal will usually meet separately after the in-person hearing to make their decision based on the evidence. Sometimes a decision will be given at the end of the hearing.
You and the other party will be given a document containing their decision and the reasons for it.
Decisions made by the tribunal are made public and available to view online:
Costs
In most cases, each side will pay their own legal costs.
However, the tribunal can order one party to pay another party’s costs. This might happen if one side has behaved unreasonably, not followed directions or if the tribunal thinks the case should not have been brought.
- Last updated:
- 16 June 2026
- Next review:
- 16 June 2028
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