Tribunal fees have ‘severely limited access to justice’ for workers

Press release issued: 29 July 2014 The introduction of employment tribunal fees a year ago has severely limited access to justice for workers, according to researchers who are calling for the regime to be overhauled. Research by the Universities of Bristol and Strathclyde has examined the effect of employment tribunal fees on employees' lives and livelihoods. The new fees were introduced by the Coalition government to encourage businesses and workers to mediate or settle a dispute rather than go to a full hearing, while also reducing the burden on the taxpayer. However, with fees ranging from £160 to £1,200, many people have reported that they can no longer afford to seek resolution of their employment-related disputes. Employers who defend claims are not required to pay. Researchers worked with six Citizens Advice Bureaux - three in England and three in Scotland - over two years to track the experiences of workers involved in disputes with their employers. They found that many claims are for fairly small amounts - for unpaid wages or holiday pay that might amount to no more than £300.