Why the Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure is essential reading

If you're preparing to make a claim at an Employment Tribunal, there's one must-read government document you should get to know: the Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure 2013. 

Why is the document so important?

The Employment Tribunal Rules of Procedure is essentially the government's rulebook for Employment Tribunals. It sets out the rules and procedures that everyone must follow – including employers. By getting to know the contents of the document, you'll learn the rules that you and the other party must follow. This means if they attempt to break or undermine the rules in any way, you'll know about it. 

For example, some employers will try to use the rule for strikeout immediately in an attempt to intimidate the other party and pressure them into dropping their claim. If you've read the rulebook, you'll know when that rule applies and when it doesn't.

What else is outlined in the Rules of Procedure?

The document outlines all of the rules both parties should follow, including everything an employer must do to respond to a claim. These rules are set out in a section of the document called 'The Response to the Claim'. They include:

• What the employer has to do when they initially respond to your claim
• What they have to do to request an extension to their time to respond
• How the Tribunal will consult you if the employer requests an extension, rather than granting it automatically

These details are all incredibly helpful for you to know in advance, so you can identify whether the other party is following the rules. 

When will the document come in handy during the Tribunal process? 

Having a strong understanding of the rules that employers follow will be helpful from day one of an employer submitting their ET3 response. This is typically when some employers will start to break or undermine the rules. 

Employer not playing by the rules? Get expert support from our coaches

If you suspect your employer isn't following the rules and you're not sure what to do about it, help is at hand. Through our Employment Tribunal coaching service, our expert coaches can support your claim from start to finish, answering any questions you have and shedding light on any unfair actions your employer may take.

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