Employment Tribunals – New Rules of Procedure (Part I)

New Employment Tribunal rules are due to be implemented from 29^th July 2013.  The most controversial change is that for the first time a fee will be payable when a claim is lodged and, assuming that the case remains contested, there will also be a hearing fee.  There are provisions for these fees to be waived if the claimant’s financial position merits it.   

There is no doubt that this will provide a significant challenge for many potential claimants, who are already coping with an unexpected loss of employment and the inevitable financial pressures this creates.  Whether the motivation for the change is to deter employees from making claims, or to subsidize the Tribunal Service in these austere times, it does raise the issue of what level of service claimants can expect from Tribunals in return for these fees.   
For more information contact nholdcroft@tolhurstfisher.com or mrobinson@tolhurstfisher.com.