Tribunal advice

[Daisyk]

Hello there,

I am due to go to an employment tribunal at the end of February and I've really run into some issues with it, a lot of it my own fault due to my mental health not being that great at the moment. I hired a lawyer to help me with putting the claim in at the start but due to costs I had to give him up and I've got a bit lost with it all.

I have a few questions and I'd be really grateful if someone is able to help me with them?

1) I missed the deadline in December when the court asked me to send in my loss of earnings, applications for jobs etc. Will I lose my claim for any compensation because of this or will I still be able to send it in? They have now set a date for a preliminary hearing over the phone and I was told that it would all be explained to me then about everything they would want from me.

2) I was originally told that all communication with the court had to include my ex employers lawyer. He has been sending me private emails asking for the documents and evidence that I have collected for a bundle which he is preparing. Should I send this to him privately? I find it a bit weird that I have to send him all my evidence before the hearing.

[ULA]

In asnwer to your questions:

1. You need to get your loss of earning information into the Tribunal as soon as possible so please get that completed and in to them today/tomorrow. The premlim hearing is likely to provide details by way of what is called a Case Management Order (CMO) as to the deadlines in regard to the provision and exchange of documents and witness statements. These deadlines need to be strictly adhered to and the only provision for an extension of time is by making an application to the Tribunal in advance. So please just make sure you meet these deadlines.

2. Yes correspondence you send to the Tribunal must, under the requirment of rules 30(2) and 92 of the Employment Tribunals Rules of Procedur 2013, also be sent to the Respondent's solicitor. The aim of the preliminary hearing is to familiarise the judge with what the case is all about, its value i.e. how much money you are asking for in compensation or settlement and the complexity of the issues involved. Therefore there is a requirement for effectively a "mini bundle" to be prepared outlining the details of the case, the likely number of witnesses each party migh want to give evidence etc. This will be the reason for the Respondent's solciitor being in contact with you as they will have the responsibility for preparing this bundle and then later on the full hearing bundle.