An independent tribunal on immigration matters is beginning to schedule its first appeals, more than a year after it was established.The “significant delay” to proceedings was criticised by Opposition MP Shawn Crockwell, who said in August that it has left appellants “in an unjust state of flux”.The House of Assembly passed legislation establishing the tribunal in July, 2011. It will make the final decisions on grievances relating to issues such as Bermudian status, permanent residency and work permits.It replaces a Cabinet committee that previously heard appeals of Ministerial decisions. This committee ran the risk of being seen as biased, so the independent tribunal was established instead.There are 12 members of the panel, including chairwoman Victoria Pearman.Ms Pearman stated in August that the tribunal was seeking guidance from Government lawyers in drafting rules for the tribunal’s use and the guidance of appellants and lawyers.Asked for an update on when the hearings will begin, she said the drafting process has been “time consuming” but is at its final stage, and it is hoped the rules will be in place shortly.“In anticipation of this we are beginning to schedule hearings and [last] week held a preliminary hearing into a matter,” she said. “As with any new tribunal there will be some teething pains and adjustments that will need to be made as we get underway. The good news is that Bermuda has an Immigration Appeal Tribunal that is independent and which the stakeholders can have confidence in to render fair and just decisions.”