Production designer Herman F. Zimmerman has said he took inspiration in the set design from George Orwell's 1948 book Nineteen Eighty-Four. Of the final look of Cardassia, Zimmerman explains, "Spartan, uncompromising and merciless are all adjectives that you could use to describe Cardassia."
Julian Christopher (Cardassian overseer) was among the actors considered for the role of Worf on The Next Generation, but he was beaten out by Michael Dorn.
According to the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, "Tribunal" is a so-called "O'Brien Must Suffer" episode.
Avery Brooks enjoyed directing this, particularly for directing Colm Meaney and Fritz Weaver, as well as featuring Cardassia for the first time.