The International Protection Appeals Tribunal was established in December 2016 in accordance with section 61 of the International Protection Act 2015. The Tribunal is a statutorily independent body and exercises a quasi-judicial function.

Part 10 of the International Protection Act 2015 established the Tribunal as an appellate body providing an effective remedy for applicants for international protection in respect of recommendations of international protection officers. The functions of the members and staff of the Tribunal are also set out in Part 10 of the 2015 Act.

The Act, especially Parts 2, 3 (as amended), 4 and 6, set out the various legal rules within which the Tribunal operates when dealing with the appeals within its jurisdiction. These legal rules have been supplemented by the European Union (Dublin System) Regulations 2018, in respect of appeals concerning transfer decisions made by an international protection officer under the Dublin III Regulation (Regulation 604/2013). Since 1 July 2018, the Tribunal has also determined appeals pursuant to the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018-2021.

The Tribunal is inquisitorial in nature and independent in the performance of its decision making functions. The Members of the Tribunal must ensure that the cases assigned to them are managed efficiently and disposed of as expeditiously as is consistent with fairness and natural justice.