Employment tribunals - do you have a claim?
Most employment disputes are heard at Employment Tribunals. There are a number of Employment Tribunals around the country, including a Tribunal which regularly ‘sits’ in central Reading.
Employment claims can result from situations including unfair dismissal, unlawful discrimination (related to “protected characteristics”), unlawful deductions from wages to breach of employment claims on termination, and many others.
Employment cases are heard by Employment Law Judges, either sitting above or alongside two Lay Members, in discrimination cases. There is currently no fee payable to lodge a claim against an employer (or former employer) but you do need to contact ACAS first to see if the dispute can be settled early on (through the ACAS early conciliation process).
Specialist advice and representing you at a Tribunal
You can choose to represent yourself or to instruct an Employment Law solicitor and usually each party pays their own legal costs (if represented), whether they win or lose the case.
There are also crucial time limits in relation to making a claim to the Employment Tribunal so you should not delay in seeking advice from a specialist Employment Law solicitor, to avoid missing the opportunity to bring a valid claim.
Unlike many firms of solicitors, we routinely represent our clients at Employment Tribunals, working closely with barristers when required. Experience has shown that end to end conduct of an employment dispute results in a more favourable result.
Please see further information on our team of Employment Law solicitors, based in Reading, Henley-on-Thames and Wokingham, and our full range of services.
