Defending employment tribunal claims

Our specialist employment law team draws on its extensive sector knowledge and experience and can guide you through each stage of the tribunal process, from preparing the initial response to a tribunal claim, to support with preparing witness statements and strategic advice on handling a tribunal claim.

We know employment tribunal claims can be stressful, costly and lengthy. We work with employers to handle claims in the most cost-effective and least time-consuming way possible.

Legal support before a matter gets to a tribunal

Many of our clients have limited budgets for legal costs. We make sure that we can deliver effective results whilst offering value for money. Where there is a reasonable chance of a weak claim being dismissed at an early stage, we apply to strike out these claims. Our team can support you prior to a potential tribunal claim – for example, disciplinary or grievance hearings (which gives us an eye for detail as to what might be picked up on in a claim).

Resolving matters with a settlement or judicial mediation

Our team have an excellent track record with judicial mediation. We often settle cases at mediation for less than we had advised would be a reasonable amount to settle for. When a claim is brought by a current employee, this can be used as a means of agreeing their exit, achieving not only an end to their claim but also a risk-free way to bring about their dismissal without a lengthy internal process.

Defending a matter at a tribunal

We appreciate that some of our clients wish to defend claims out of principle and because of the message that settling a particular claim might send (where an employee has behaved in a way that is harmful to their organisation or the vulnerable people it supports). We are experienced in defending claims from start to finish in those situations and fully understand the reasons for this. 

Tribunal-focused training and resources for your organisation

We are passionate about sharing our experiences and are able to deliver training on the employment
tribunal process and procedure.

Our lessons learnt analysis can be provided at any stage of a claim and can be shared internally with
HR or management colleagues who seek to avoid similar situations from arising again.

We have produced documents and guidance based on our experience with certain claims to help with
internal processes that seek to reduce the risk of a claim. These include our guide on dealing with
employment situations with police involvement and a suspension checklist.

Recent employment tribunal work for care providers

What our clients say

We are proud of our expertise and successful track record, but don’t take our word for it, here’s what some of our clients have said:

I don’t often write these types of emails but I wanted to drop you a note to say how impressed I am with Jackie Morris. He is very responsive, he delivers on his commitments and is very thorough, but most of all his guidance is clear and easy to understand. No job is a problem for him and I want to recognise the work he did for me last Friday at very short notice in relation to two tribunal claims. He is definitely my ‘go-to’ solicitor now and I wanted to feedback that I am delighted with the service he is providing us.

Head of HR services, City and County Healthcare Group

Thank you so much for your assistance in this matter. You were amazing support and the witnesses were really assured by your meeting yesterday. It was a pleasure working with you on this, and hopefully we will get to do it again soon (although not too many times)

Head of employment law, Community Integrated Care

I get the benefit of doing lots of employment work with lots of different firms and fee earners and probably get used to a decent level of competence – but every now and again someone particularly impresses, and Sarah certainly has.  I’ve been hugely supported in my role as Counsel on the case by the fact that she is: completely on top of the evidence (and so able to assist me on occasion with cross-referencing); thoroughly efficient; willing to go above and beyond (working outside normal office hours to finalise a witness statement, and to proof read materials), and clearly has been very supportive of the client and the witnesses (who I know have been impressed).

Counsel

If your organisation is facing a potential employment tribunal claim, please contact Anna Dabek or Jackie Morris.