s 12 Functions of tribunal
12.—(1) The primary function of a tribunal is to attempt to bring the parties to a dispute to an agreed settlement. (2) Where an agreed settlement is reached, a tribunal may make one or more of the orders which it is empowered to make under section 35. (3) If it appears to a tribunal that it is impossible to reach a settlement under subsection (1) within a reasonable time, the tribunal must proceed to determine the dispute. (4) A tribunal must determine the dispute according to the substantial merits and justice of the case, and in doing so must have regard to the law but is not bound to give effect to strict legal forms or technicalities.