Lawyers are often consulted in employment rights disputes, providing consultation and representation for clients who want to make or defend claims to an employment tribunal. Employment tribunals are judicial bodies established in the UKto resolve disputes between employers and employees over matters involving employment rights, such as unfair dismissal, redundancy payments and discrimination. Doyou have employmenttribunalsin your jurisdiction?
Generally speaking, the handling of a claim in the UKproceeds as follows: firstly, a claimant submits a claim, usually in person, to an employment tribunal. If there are any outstanding issues concerning such things as witness testimony, necessary documents etc. the chair of the tribunal then holds a case-management discussion to clarify them. Sometimes this is followed by a pre-hearing assessment or review (which the claimant may attend if desired), at which time the tribunal decides whether the claim has merit. Lastly, there is a final hearing where a decision is made as to whether the claim succeeds or fails, and if it succeeds the amount of damages to be awarded.
The following telephone conversation is between a lawyer (Jane)and a client (Gwen), who is an employer defending a claim filed with the employment tribunal. Theydiscuss the preparations for a pre-hearing assessment. Theymention a document called an entry of appearance. Thisis a written notice of appearance providing the respondent’s full name and contact details, as well as a statement of opposition to the claim, including the grounds upon which it is opposed.
18. Listen and tick the actions that Gwen will take following the phone