Application for Costs Order Letter Template
Use our Costs Order Letter template to seek reimbursement from your employer for your legal costs, preparation time or wasted expenses at your Tribunal.
- A letter template to apply to the Employment Tribunal for costs.
- Option to include a Peace of Mind check from a Valla coach to ensure your document is professional and taken seriously.
- Downloadable letter in .doc and .pdf formats.
Packages
Interest-free payments available with Klarna
Coaching packages
The foundation for a successful Tribunal claim
Helping you translate what happened into legal claims
A step-by-step guide through the process of translating issues into the language of legal claims, flagging important legal tests you need to consider.
Ensuring your claim is taken seriously
A professional-looking document and form filled out in the way the Tribunal wants it, reducing the risk of your claim being rejected.
Reviewed by a legal coach
Your document reviewed by legal expert giving you peace of mind that your Tribunal claim has the best chance of success.
How to get your employer to pay for your Tribunal costs
Employment Tribunal Costs Orders aren’t awarded by default by the Employment Tribunal, so you’ll need to apply separately for this if you’re interested with an Application for Costs Order. They’re typically the exception rather than the rule, but the Employment Tribunal Rules list out the categories of costs you can apply for, including legal costs, preparation time or wasted costs.
Note - you should normally send a costs warning letter before sending your actual costs application.
When can an Employment Tribunal order the Respondent to pay legal costs?
You can apply for an Employment Tribunal Costs Order in certain circumstances. Here are some examples:
In Charlie’s case there is clear documentary evidence showing that her pregnancy was the reason she was dismissed. Charlie therefore sends a costs warning letter to the Respondent asking them to drop their defence on this point. However, the Respondent does not do so.
Charlie is ultimately successful in her claim that she was unfairly dismissed. The Tribunal found that she was dismissed on the grounds of her pregnancy, which is an automatically unfair reason.
Charlie makes an application for costs on the basis that the Respondent’s case had no reasonable prospect of success.
How can you apply for an Employment Tribunal Costs Order?
To make a successful application for a Costs Order, you’ll need to:
- send a costs warning letter to the Respondent
- make your costs application to the Tribunal if the Respondent doesn’t drop their response as you have requested (you should normally make your costs application after the Final Hearing)
- create the template in Valla
- send the application letter or email to the Tribunal
- copy in the Respondent
- wait for the Tribunal to confirm whether or not the costs application will be considered at a hearing or if they are able to decide it in writing
- chase the Tribunal by phone if you don’t hear from them.
Legal services at Valla
While Valla isn’t a law firm, we offer many “un-reserved” legal services to help you run your Tribunal case. These legal services are delivered by hand-picked professionals with Tribunal experience and a variety of legal qualifications.
Some of our legal professionals are qualified solicitors and barristers, some are registered with CILEX, others have a law degree. All have extensive experience with the Tribunal and clients. Because we aren’t a regulated legal provider by the SRA, we hold our own professional indemnity insurance. You can read more on our terms of service.
Save time, reduce stress and ensure your claim has the best chance of success
What our customers say about us
Valla isn’t just a legal resource — it’s a lifeline.
It gave me the tools, the knowledge, and the resilience to fight for what was right.
Valla genuinely cared.
Legal fees can be overwhelming, but Valla’s legal coaching is a fraction of the cost of a solicitor. More than that, they genuinely cared.
Valla’s platform made organising my case simple.
I could upload my evidence, store my emails, and structure my discrimination claim with references to legal documents. For the first time, I felt in control.
Why use Valla?
A law firm can cost anywhere from an initial consultation fee of £200 to £35,000+ plus VAT for Tribunal representation.
Valla offers users low-cost alternatives to pricey law firms. We can help guide you through the process and generate legal documents for your use.
Lawyers can be expensive. But access to justice doesn’t have to be.
Legal services at Valla
While Valla isn’t a law firm, we offer many “un-reserved” legal services to help you run your Tribunal case. These legal services are delivered by hand-picked professionals with Tribunal experience and a variety of legal qualifications.
Some of our legal professionals are qualified solicitors and barristers, some are registered with CILEX, others have a law degree. All have extensive experience with the Tribunal and clients. Because we aren’t a regulated legal provider by the SRA, we hold our own professional indemnity insurance. You can read more on our terms of service.
