Tribunals hearing in public

Employment tribunals must conduct their business in public and ensure that the public has a right to access, the Employment Appeals Tribunal has confirmed.

Roger Storer had taken an unfair dismissal claim against British Gas to an employment tribunal. Due to lack of space the hearing took place in an office with a locked door. Even though there was no suggestion that any member of the public who wanted to attend would have been barred, the fact that the door was locked meant that it was not a public hearing. Storer has been given the right to have the tribunal ruling on his claim quashed and for the claim to be heard by a new tribunal.