Charges for work tribunals ‘draconian’

Charging workers money for pursuing employment tribunal claims will result in many being put off from doing so and will create an atmosphere of “chequebook justice”, according to the TUC leader. The charges will amount to anything between a minimum £600 and £1,750 just to have a discrimination claim heard by a tribunal and are “draconian”, the congress’s general secretary Brendan Barber said. Addressing a conference in London, he said: “The coalition’s cuts are having a devastating impact on some of the most vulnerable people in our society, including women, ethnic minorities and disabled people. “Ministers are pursuing a deregulatory agenda, dismissing vital rights as red tape and so-called burdens on business. “While the Government pays lip service to equality, some of its actions threaten to make Britain less equal, less fair and much less just. “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.” Our Employment team provides advice on the employment aspects of all major business decisions. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 08456 381381 or email employment@ibblaw.co.uk.