Employment Blog: TUC Boss Warns of “Chequebook Justice”

The Government is currently in the midst of a consultation over whether to charge a fee between £150 and £250 for an employment claim, with a hearing costing an additional amount anywhere between £250 and £1,250, as well as other options for changes to how employment tribunals are funded.

The proposals are seen as a response to the reported increase in employment tribunals over the past few years and the availability of no win no fee employment tribunal representation from solicitors. Groups such as the British Chamber of Commerce have backed the changes, feeling that the current rules are leading to an increase in frivolous employment tribunals and hurting businesses. Others however, argue that it means that it will make it much harder for businesses to be held to account, particularly in discrimination cases

Speaking at  the TUC annual discrimination law conference on Friday, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber warned that the impact of the reforms will affect the most vulnerable workers. 

Barber explained: “This is chequebook justice pure and simple and is a profoundly regressive step. As so few discrimination claims succeed at tribunal anyway, many potential claimants, particularly those who lack the support of a union, would be put off from making a claim, giving a green light to unscrupulous employers to discriminate at will.

"That's why our priorities over the coming year must be to defend legal rights and access to justice, and why we must resist Draconian Government plans to charge people for using employment tribunals.”
The 44% increase in the number of employment tribunals from 2008-9 to 2010-11 had lead the government to evaluate other options to fund employment tribunals.

Unsure whether you have a case?  If you have been a unfairly dismissed or need help with a tribunal call our employment team today on 0808 155 9070 or make an online enquiry or contact Lorna Valcin today to find how we can help with employment tribunals.