Officially the Police Appeals (Disciplinary) Tribunal, it is a 'virtual' non-departmental public body managed by the Home Office.

[2] Hearings are facilitated and administered by the local police and crime commissioner (or equivalent body).

[5] Unless the tribunal chair elects to hold the hearing in private, members of the public are able to attend PAT proceedings.

[7][8] Legal representation is not compulsory, and it is not uncommon for parties to represent themselves or use a friend.

[11] In February 2024, Mark Rowley (the Metropolitan Police Commissioner) criticised the decision of a police appeals tribunal to overturn the 2021 dismissal of detective sergeant Neil Buckmaster, arguing that 'the final say on who works in [police forces' should lie with chief constables.