The Ministry of Justice (“MoJ”) has published more information explaining the new rules on the Employment Tribunal fees which are expected to come into force this summer.
The MoJ says the “sanction for non-payment of issue fees and hearing fees are that the claim will not be allowed to commence or continue in the tribunal.” It is unclear whether this means the claim will be stayed or struck out; hopefully the answer will appear in the draft legislation once it is published in the next couple of months.
Fee levels are unchanged from the information issued following the consultation period, i.e. a £250 issue fee, and a £950 hearing fee, for most types of claim (including unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing). Straightforward claims such as unlawful deductions and statutory redundancy payments carry a lower fee (£160 issue; £230 hearing). The ‘hearing fee’ will fall due on a date set out in the employment tribunal’s notification of hearing date, but this does not deal with the question of whether it falls due shortly after the hearing date is set, or a certain number of weeks before the hearing, which could be months apart.
Paul Burton, Employment Solicitor, says “Fees can be paid online (when issuing claims online). If lodging a claim by post, the ET1 and a cheque must be sent to a designated tribunal, which is yet to be decided.”
For a free initial meeting please call 01202 499255 and Kate or Paul will be happy to discuss any questions you may have.
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