A new tribunal will be set up in Scotland to act as a specialist decision maker for disputes between landlords and tenants in the private rented sector, disappointing an industry body that’s calling for the inclusion of the social sector too.

The Scottish government said on Friday that jurisdiction for civil cases will be transferred from the sheriff courts to the PRS tribunal as part of plans to be included in its forthcoming housing bill.

It added the decision to introduce the tribunal comes following recent consultation exercises which highlighted access through the courts can be particularly difficult for those in the private rented sector.