Employment tribunal fees set for summer 2013

An employment expert at Lancashire law firm Forbes Solicitors has welcomed the news that the date for the introduction of fees for issuing tribunal claims has now been announced.

The employment tribunal is currently free of charge but as of July 29, 2013 a two tier fee system will be introduced. Type A claims will include claims for breach of contract, redundancy payments, unauthorised deductions from wages and claims relating to annual leave under the Working Time Regulations. These will carry a £160 issue fee and £230 hearing fee.

Type B claims will include unfair dismissal, discrimination, equal pay and the vast majority of other claims and will attract an issue fee of £250 and a hearing fee of £950.

Jonathan Holden, employment solicitor at Forbes, said: “I hope the introduction of fees will discourage vexatious claims which are both time-consuming and costly, whilst encouraging more people to look for alternatives such as mediation, so the tribunal becomes a last resort, reserved for complex cases.” ACAS, the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service will continue to provide a free mediation service to workers and Employers, without the need to go to Tribunal.