Andrew Bano

Andrew Bano is the President of the War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal. He talks about a jurisdiction with a venerable history. The War Pensions and Armed Forces Compensation Chamber of the First-tier Tribunal came into existence on 3 November, 2008 under the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007.
It took over the functions of the Pensions Appeal Tribunals, which had existed in their modern form since 1919, dealing with claims for awards in respect of injuries resulting from military service. The special position of the Armed Forces – reflected in the Military Covenant which refers to the need to take care of armed forces personnel who voluntarily give up their human rights on active duty – meant that a separate Chamber was created in the new tribunals system to take over the jurisdiction of the Pensions Appeal Tribunal.

Andrew Bano believes that this arrangement has many advantages: "On the one hand, we are small enough to respond flexibly and effectively to the individual needs of our users; on the other, as a member of the much larger family of tribunals, we are in a position – without in any way compromising our identity or distinctive approach – to utilise the resources which are available within the new unified tribunal system.” "The make-up of the Chamber reflects the distinctive knowledge and skills needed in this jurisdiction,” says Andrew Bano.

Andrew is enthusiastic about the Chamber’s future. "I think we stand to gain tremendously from the tribunal reform programme. As an Upper Tribunal judge, I see my role as to provide judicial leadership, following the trend of recent appointments in the tribunal system.” Challenges for the future include maintaining the service expertise of the jurisdiction given that National Service ended in 1960, and Andrew sees the voluntary and reserve forces as a possible source of recruitment for the future.

Andrew Bano (male) English form of the Greek name Andreas, a short form of any of various compound names derived from andr- ‘man, warrior’. In the New Testament this is the name of the first disciple to be called by Jesus. After the Resurrection, St Andrew preached in Asia Minor and Greece. He is traditionally believed to have been crucified at Patras in Achaia. He was one of the most popular saints of the Middle Ages and was adopted as the patron of Scotland, Russia, and Greece. It has long been among the most popular boys’ names in the English-speaking world, especially in Scotland. Its popularity in England was further enhanced by its use as a British royal name for Prince Andrew (b. 1960), the Duke of York.