International Tribunal
A Brief History of the International Tribunal
At the 9th Convention of Phi Alpha Delta, one of the most substantial changes adopted was the creation of the Board of Tribunes to decide cases and controversies. Only six years after the Articles of South Haven, in the year 1908, the first Tribunes were elected (Click here for a complete listing of all Tribunes).
In 1964, the name of the Board of Tribunes was changed to Supreme Tribunal. In 1969, it was again changed to the current name, International Tribunal. The Tribunal consists of a Chief Tribune and two Associate Tribunes.
Over the years, the Tribunal has issued Advisory Opinions at the request of the International Executive Board in the areas of membership and expulsion. The Tribunal has also issued decisions in cases and controversies regarding honorary initiations, convention credentials and the alumni tax. In 1976, work was begun on a digest of Tribunal opinions. In 2012, the Tribunal updated the digest and created an online index of opinions and decisions. The Tribunal also adopted a Canon of Ethics at its meeting in August 2009.
Chapter IX, Section 3 of the By-Laws allows the Tribunal to promulgate its own procedural rules. From time to time, the International Tribunal has issued and/or revised these rules. The following rules were adopted by the International Tribunal at its meeting held in San Antonio, Texas on August 1, 1987, as amended subsequent thereto, on July 12, 2012.
