Workplace Report February 2000

Features: Law at work

Tribunals and representatives

An employment tribunal cannot rule that a representative, chosen by an applicant, cannot act on the applicant's behalf and that the applicant be forced to defend herself. In the case of Bache v Essex County Council, The Times Law Reports 2 February 2000 the Court of Appeal ruled that there is no power to rule on whether or not a chosen representative is appropriate, although the tribunal does have the power to control the conduct of proceedings.