Tribunal Representation

Most employment disputes are decided by Employment Tribunals. Although when they were first created they were intended as an informal means of resolving employment law issues, over the years both the laws that they are applying and the Tribunal’s procedures have become much more complex. It is also more common for the parties to have legal representation.

Raleys employment lawyers have 30 years experience between us of advising clients and representing them in the Employment Tribunal, including complex cases involving multi-day hearings or cases where several combined claims are being heard together.

One aspect of our service that we consider to be particularly important is that the person you initially deal with will be the person who advises you throughout the case and who represents you at the hearing. We will only change the person you deal with in exceptional circumstances. This is different to many other law firms, who will often hand over your case at a late stage to an external advocate who will represent you at the hearing, usually involving an additional cost over and above the solicitor’s charges.

We feel that our approach enables clients to build up a stronger relationship with their adviser and the client will feel more confident that the person representing them knows all the background to their case and understands what the client may be seeking out of it.

If your case is sufficiently strong we may be able to act for you on a “no win-no fee” basis. Although the activities of some advisers in the past has given such arrangements a bad name, due to hidden costs charged by them, Raleys arrangement means exactly what it says; if you are unsuccessful you do not pay us any fee for our services. You will only have to pay us any costs that we have had to pay to a third party, for example a doctor’s fee for preparing a medical report, or any travelling expenses paid to Raleys staff for attending a Tribunal hearing. You will be made aware of any such costs in advance. There are no unexpected hidden charges.

Appeals

Appeals from the decisions of Employment Tribunals are heard by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in London. An appeal can be made on a point of law, e.g. that the Tribunal asked themselves the wrong questions or misapplied previous case law.

Raleys have experience of advising clients and representing them in the EAT and cases done by our lawyers have been referred to in legal textbooks and journals.

Again, unless there are strong reasons not to do so, the person who dealt with your case at the original Tribunal will continue to represent you right up to and including any appeal hearing.