"Tribunal" is the generic term covering all types of arbitration. It covers courts, arbitration panels and all manner of organisations which are set up to make rulings when parties disagree.
The word stems from �tribune�. These were officers elected by the people of ancient Rome to protect their rights and liberties from the patricians (the ruling aristocracy).
I have heard an Employment Tribunal called " a quasi legal forum". I have also had it described as similar to the Court of Appeal. It has all the legal etiquette but without the wigs and formality of a court. It also takes into account hearsay evidence