Catalogue description Ministry of Labour and successors: Arbitration Tribunals, Registered Files

This series, at its inception, consisted of the records of the Industrial Court; its title was changed from 'Industrial Court' to 'Arbitration Tribunals' in the light of subsequent record transfers.

The bulk of the series consists of files of the Industrial Court, the Civil Service Arbitration Tribunal, the National Arbitration Tribunal, and the Industrial Disputes Tribunal. These records include reports, minutes, correspondence, votes and other papers covering a very wide range of labour disputes. Most files deal with disputed pay and working conditions and the application of particular awards and rulings, but there are also some relating to the administration and policy of the bodies concerned. Many are connected with munitions or other industries engaged on the war effort, especially engineering and shipbuilding.

Also included are a few cases judged to be Special Cases (SC files) or dealt with by the Railway Staff National Tribunal. The series also includes a few files of special committees and courts of inquiry into particular industrial problems. In addition there are a few papers of the Committee appointed to investigate the Police and Prison Strike 1919; the Committee on Increased Production in Industry 1920; the Tramways Tribunal 1924; the Coal Miners' National Industrial Board 1930-1941; and disputes arising out of the Electricity (Supply) Acts 1882 to 1928, and the Trade Boards Acts 1909 and 1918.

For trade dispute record books, see LAB 34

For appeals files concerning redundancy payments, see LAB 36

For appeals files concerning industrial training, see LAB 38

For appeals files concerning selective employment payments, see LAB 39

For appeals files concerning contracts of employment, see LAB 40

For appeals files concerning compensation, see LAB 53

For appeals files concerning docks and harbours appeals, see LAB 54

For appeals files concerning unfair dismissal, LAB 72