Tribunal fees

Since 29 July 2013, all tribunal claims attract fees. There are no exceptions.

Claims for unfair dismissal, claims under the EA 10 and under PIDA all attract the higher level of issue fee (£250: 2015), followed by a hearing fee (£950: 2015) if the claim does not settle. There are further fees for any appeal. Some low-income workers will qualify for fee remission (i.e. full or partial fee exemption). For more information on tribunal fees and remission see LRD’s annual employment law guide Law at Work.

Public services union UNISON is fighting an ongoing judicial challenge to the fee regime, arguing that it breaches EU law and discriminates unlawfully against women, disabled and ethnic minority workers. Despite evidence of a dramatic collapse in all types of claim, in August 2015 the Court of Appeal rejected the union’s appeal. UNISON said it would appeal to the Supreme Court.