In 2013 the then government introduced swingeing fees for employment tribunals on the basis that it would prevent the bringing of weak and malicious cases. That may be the case but there is no doubt that it was a form of indirect taxation. The result was a 79% reduction in the number of cases brought. Not all of those cases were malicious or weak and it is clear that large number of unfairly treated employees were deterred from bringing justified and winnable cases.
UNITY welcomes the recent decision of the U.K. Supreme Court, ruling that the fees were an unlawful impediment to access to justice and, as a result the government has had to scrap them. What is interesting is that the same reasoning behind the Supreme Court’s decision applies as much to the fees for bringing a civil case in the High Court as to employment tribunal cases. The fees for bringing such a case can be £10,000 which deters many entrepreneurs and others who have a claim-often against much larger counter parties from seeking justice.
UNITY calls on the government to reduce the level of fees for bringing civil cases before somebody challenges the government on this as well.
Meanwhile, UNITY is able to help potential litigants find the most cost effective lawyer and also the necessary funding for your case. Litigation funders will, as part of the funding package, advance the cost of court fees.
If you think we can help, do not hesitate to contact us.