Employment Tribunal claims
Workplace disputes can sometimes not be resolved and will end up in the Employment Tribunal
This can result in a lengthy and costly tribunal procedure – both in time and money. However, both parties now have to consider mediation before being able to issue a claim. Mediation is being used more and more in workplace disputes and is a good way of both parties discussing their issues with an independent mediator and attempting to reach an amicable resolution, reducing the time and expense that would be incurred in tribunal proceedings.
We can advise you on all aspects of workplace disputes right through to Employment Tribunal claims.
Please click on the link above to view our pricing structure for defending a claim for unfair or wrongful dismissal.
Key Stages
- Taking your initial instructions, reviewing the papers and advising you on the merits of any defence and/or the likely compensation/damages (this is likely to be revisited throughout the matter and subject to change);
- Entering into pre-claim conciliation where this is mandatory to explore whether a settlement can be reached;
- Preparing the response form when a claim has been made against you;
- Reviewing and advising on any response from the other party;
- Exploring settlement and negotiating settlement throughout the process;
- Considering a schedule of loss;
- Preparing for (and attending) a Preliminary Hearing;
- Exchanging documents with the other party and agreeing a bundle of documents
- Taking witness statements, drafting statements and agreeing their content with witnesses;
- Preparing bundle of documents (if applicable i.e. the employee has not instructed solicitors);
- Reviewing and advising on the other party’s witness statements;
- Agreeing a list of issues, a chronology and/or cast list
- Preparation and attendance at Final Hearing, including instructing the barrister.
The stages set out above are an indication and if some of the stages above are not required, our fees will be reduced. You may wish to handle the claim yourself and only have our advice in relation to some of the stages. This can also be arranged depending on your individual needs. For more information about the procedure please refer to the gov.uk website https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunals.
How long will my matter take?
The time that it takes from taking your initial instructions to the final resolution of your matter depends largely on the stage at which your case is resolved. If a settlement is reached before a claim is issued, your case is likely to take between 1 and 2 months. If your claim proceeds to a Final Hearing, your case is likely to take between 5 and 7 months.
This is just an estimate and we will of course be able to give you a more accurate timescale once we have more information and as the matter progresses.
