A it is to mete out justice. But it does not follow that the procedure of every such tribunal must be the same; In the case of a Court of law tradition in this country has prescribed certain principles to which in the main the procedure must conform. But what that procedur~ is to be in detail mµst depend on the nature of the tribuB nal. In modern times it has become increasingly common for Parliament to give an appeal in matters which really pertain to administration rather than to the exercise of the judicial functions of an ordinary Court, to authorities whose functions are administrative and not in the ordinary sense judicial. Such a body as the Local Government Board. has the duty of enforcing obligations c on the individual which are imposed in the interests of the community. Its character is that of an organization with executive functions. In this it resembles other great departments of the State. When, therefore, Parliament entrusts it with judicial duties, Parliament must be taken, in the absence of any declaration to the conD trary, to have intended it to follow the procedure which is its own and is necessary if it is to be capable of doing its work· efficiently. I agree '>}'ith the view expressed in an analogous case by my noble and learned friend Lord Loreburn. In Board of Education v. Rice(') he laid down that, in disposing of a question which was the subject of an appeal to it, the Board of Education was under E a duty to act in good faith, and to listen fairly to both sides, inasmuch as that was a d.uty which lay on everyone who decided anything. But he went on to say that he ·did not think it was bound to treat such a question as though it wer<:,_ l!, trial. The Btflard had no power to administer an oath, and need not examine witnesses. It F could, he thought, obtain information in any way it thought best, always giving a fair opportunity to those who were parties in ·the controversy to correct or contradict any relevant statement prejudicial to their view. If the Board failed in this duty, its order might be the subject of certiorari and it must itself be the subject of mandamus. 11
