Changes to the law mean that employees now have to pay a fee to
make a claim to an Employment Tribunal, a process that until
29 July 2013 was free. Depending on the type of claim, there will
be different fees to pay (known as Type A & B Claims)
For each claim, there will be two sets of fees to pay. The first
fee is payable when you submit your claim. If your claim goes
to a hearing, you'll have to pay a second fee before the final
hearing to decide the outcome of your claim.
Type A claims cover straightforward claims, such as unpaid
wages, redundancy pay, holiday pay, equal pay and notice pay.
You'll have to pay £160 for the issue fee to start the claim, and
£230 for the hearing fee.
Type B claims cover more complicated claims such as unfair
dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing. You'll have to pay
£250 for the issue fee to start the claim and £950 for the hearing
fee.
There has been widespread criticism of the introduction of fees,
so much so that Unison have applied for a judicial review on the
decision. On the one hand it will reduce the number of
frivolous claims by vexatious employees, but it may also be
prohibitive on those employees who have genuine claims and cannot
afford the fees eg., because they haven't been paid!
Those receiving certain benefits or are on a low income can
apply for a fee remission (waiver of the fee) but they have to
satisfy certain guidelines to qualify.
If you have a dispute with an employee, or would like to talk
about any employment matters please call on my direct line (01273
447069) or email me at Nicole.Humphreys@acumenbusinesslaw.co.uk.