EATON SMITH PARTNER TO ADVISE HOUSE OF COMMONS SELECT COMMITTEE

Kate Booth, Partner at Huddersfield law firm Eaton Smith, has been invited to give evidence at the House of Commons select committee with regard to employment tribunal fees. The charging of a fee in employment tribunals was introduced by the Government in July 2013. Claimants now have to pay £160 to lodge a claim and £230 for a tribunal hearing for basic money claims, such as unpaid wages or claims for redundancy pay. Employees challenging unfair dismissal, sexual or racial discrimination in the workplace, or sackings arising from whistleblowing face higher charges of £250 to lodge a claim and a further £950 for a tribunal hearing.

Kate will give evidence to the select committee which reflects her views that the introduction of fees has not only affected the ability of employees to access justice, but the fees have also affected the volume and quality of cases brought. The number of claims lodged in the employment tribunals nationally between April 2014 and March 2015 was just 18,500 – this is less than 10% of the figure for April 2012 to March 2013 before the fees were introduced.

Kate comments: “Although the fees were needed to reduce the high volume of nuisance claims that were making employers’ lives a misery, they are too high and I believe they prevent employees from bringing genuine claims to enforce their rights.

“The standard hearing fee of £950 is close to an average month’s rent of £977 and I believe would take three months for a family earning the national average wage to save up.”

Kate joined Eaton Smith in May 2010 where she leads the employment team. She has a significant amount of experience in all areas of employment law. Commenting on her invitation to the House of Commons, Kate said: “I am delighted that my submission to the consultation has prompted this invitation to give evidence at the select committee and it is a privilege to be able to contribute to this process”.
Posted Wednesday 11th of November 2015