[citation needed] The Lands Tribunal was unusual in having both first instance and appellate jurisdiction.

[1] The Lands Tribunal was established to replace the panel of official arbitrators which had previously determined disputes as to compensation payable to the owners and occupiers of land affected by compulsory purchase.

It additionally acted as the appellate tribunal hearing rating appeals from the valuation tribunals and had jurisdiction in relation to ordering the discharge or modification of restrictive covenants affecting land, under section 84 of the Law of Property Act 1925.

A major further jurisdiction was conferred under the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 which conferred upon the long leaseholders of lower value houses in England the right to acquire their freeholds, on terms laid out by statute.

Disputes as to quantum were originally decided by the Lands Tribunal.