Who hears the tribunal claim?

Since 2012, the vast majority of unfair dismissal claims are heard by a judge sitting alone, rather than by a full panel of three judges (a legally qualified judge and two lay judges, one each from the “employer” and the “worker” side).

The tribunal judge has a discretion to order that the claim be heard by a full panel if, taking into account the views of the parties, there is a likelihood of a dispute that make this “desirable” (section 4(5) Employment Tribunals Act 1996).