Tribunal changes

The government has announced that it is looking to change procedures at employment tribunals. It intends to go ahead with proposals for binding arbitration, as an alternative to a tribunal hearing. Under these proposals employers and employees can agree to go to an arbiter instead of a tribunal to resolve employment law complaints. While the procedure may help to speed up complaints, binding arbitration will not, in most cases, be subject to the right to appeal and this may in practice reduce some employee's legal rights.

The government is also proposing to increase costs awards, from the current maximum of £500 to £10,000. The aim of this is to deter what are considered unreasonable or vexatious claims. It will also give the tribunals the power to require higher deposits from individuals taking claims that, in the view of the tribunal, have no real chance of success.