Grayling criticised by 400 barristers for tribunal fee hike

Posted By: James

Tuesday 17th March 2015

An open letter published by more than 400 barristers and 40 QCs criticises Chris Grayling for a steep rise in employment tribunal fees which has resulted in a 60% decline in the number of cases being heard since 2013, when application costs of up to £1,200 were introduced. “The...fees are a significant barrier to access to justice and are preventing employees from being able to complain about contraventions of their employment rights,” the letter states, adding that the suggestion that, prior to 2013, a significant percentage of employment tribunal claims were vexatious, was not a justification for the hike in fees. “The introduction of fees has had no discernible impact on the outcome of cases. This must mean that meritorious claims are not being pursued because of the fees regime.” Separately, a poll by the CIPD found, perhaps unsurprisingly, that employers are divided over tribunal fees, with 38% voting for no change and 36% calling for the fees to be either significantly reduced or abolished altogether. The remaining 27% were undecided.

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