The UK Government is considering reintroducing tribunal fees for workers to take their employers to court.
Deborah Margolis, senior counsel at Littler, said it remains to be seen whether the government will establish a charge for claims and whether it might mirror the previous Conservative government’s plan to introduce a £55 ($74) fee for claims and appeals.
Fees could help offset an increase in claims arising from new protections ushered in by the Employment Rights Bill. But Margolis said she was unsure whether £55 was “a sufficient deterrent, although it may prevent employees from bringing low-value or vexatious claims.”
“It’s hard to know what this is aimed at,” Margolis added. “Is it to reduce the number of claims? Is it to provide some sort of income? Fifty-five pounds is much lower than the cost of issuing claims under the previous regime. At the moment, it seems like the government is testing the water.”
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