---
title: Self representation is surging in Employment Tribunals - 7 tools that can help
description: Self-representation in Employment Tribunals is rising. Discover the top 7 tools to help you manage your own case effectively.
---

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# [Self representation is surging in Employment Tribunals - 7 tools that can help](https://valla.uk/guides/self-representation-is-surging-in-employment-tribunals-7-tools-that-can-help)

 Written by [Danae Shell](https://valla.uk/guides/author/danae-shell-founder-and-ceo-at-valla) | Jul 24, 2025 2:48:36 PM

Nearly 1 in 3 Employment Tribunal cases are now brought by claimants who are representing themselves. These “litigants in person” face a complex, confusing system, but there are tools and resources that can help. 

## **Why is self-representation growing? **

Self-representation increased dramatically in 2017, rising over 400% in just a three year period and reaching a historic high since 2020.

*(Source: *[*GOV.UK Tribunal statistics*](https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/tribunal-statistics-quarterly-april-to-june-2023)*) *

There are three main reasons cited for the increase: 

1. **The removal of Employment Tribunal fees**. Introduced in 2014 and abolished in 2017, this fee had a huge impact on the lowest-paid employees ability to lodge a complaint. With this fee abolished, a disproportionate amount of litigants in person began lodging claims. 
2. **The ability to lodge a Tribunal Claim online**. This functionality was introduced in 2013/14 which allowed claimants to lodge their ET1 Tribunal Claim form using a GOV.UK online service, simplifying the process. 
3. **The increasing lack of affordable legal services**. Legal aid was cut in 2013, resulting in a 90% reduction in funding for legal services to consumers, including support for employment law. As a result, [2 out of 3 UK citizens](https://www.sra.org.uk/globalassets/documents/sra/research/legal-needs.pdf?version=4a1aca) now report that legal services are too expensive. 

## **An imbalance of power**

While many employees are now self-representing, employers still generally work with lawyers - [77% of employers are represented by a lawyer](https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/fewer-than-half-of-employment-tribunal-claimants-use-lawyers) in Employment Tribunal hearings. This sets out a massive power imbalance between the two sides, and often leaves the employee feeling overwhelmed and out of their depth. 

## **7 helpful resources and tools for litigants in person **

Despite the power imbalance, there is a growing amount of support for litigants in person to level the playing field. Here are 7 resources and tools to help litigants in person managing their own Employment Tribunal case: 

- **Use a self-representation tool for Employment Tribunal**: [Valla is a custom-built tool for litigants in person in Employment Tribunal to run their own case,](https://valla.uk/) with document templates, evidence collection and legal coaches that can support for hearing prep and more. 
- **Watch mock Employment Tribunals online**: YouTube has a number of mock employment Tribunals that are free to watch, including one from [Wright Hassal](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkK12s71dMQ)l and [HR recruit](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxXWu_jnzsc). 
- **Observe real Employment Tribunal cases**: litigants in person can use the [Court Serve website](https://www.courtserve.net/courtlists/current/ets/indexv2et.php) to find real cases and request to observe them - giving you a much better idea of how the process will go. 
- **Attend an Employment Tribunal support groups**: There are a number of support groups and forums online for litigants in person, including the [Employment Tribunal Claims DIY Group](https://www.facebook.com/groups/820552265349076), the [Employment Tribunal subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/employmenttribunal/), and the monthly [Employment Tribunal Support Group](https://valla.uk/webinars/webinar-employment-tribunal-support-group) event hosted by Valla and Donna Patterson, a successful litigant in person. 
- **Read real cases online**: the [Employment Tribunal Decisions website](https://www.gov.uk/employment-tribunal-decisions) from GOV.UK is an incredibly helpful resource to find previous cases like your own, and Valla’s [Real Examples](https://valla.uk/real-examples) page has summarised many of these cases for easier reference. 
- **Read the book on self-representation**: Bath Publishing have released a helpful [DIY book for litigants in person in Employment Tribunal](https://bathpublishing.com/products/employment-claims-without-a-lawyer), packed with useful templates and legal information. 
- **Download the Employment Tribunal map**: if you’re just trying to get a handle on how the whole process works, [this free map](https://d1fdloi71mui9q.cloudfront.net/RNvkhmqjSQ2XwFpZgnYW_Valla%20Employment%20Issue%20Resolution%20Map.pdf) can help you understand the major steps. 

## **You are not alone**

It’s easy to feel like you’re fighting a lonely battle as a litigant in person, but you’re definitely not alone - more and more people are choosing to represent themselves to get justice.

To see how Valla can help, [sign up here.](https://app.valla.uk/accounts/signup/)

[View full post](https://valla.uk/guides/self-representation-is-surging-in-employment-tribunals-7-tools-that-can-help)

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