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Employment tribunal reforms will 'impede access to justice'

I think the most sensible change of all those proposed is to allow employment judges to hear more cases sitting alone. In my experience, the vast majority of the "wing members" add nothing positive, usually saying little or nothing, and agreeing with everything the employment judge says. When a wing member does contribute, there's a good chance their contribution will cause confusion and frustration with irrelevant questions. It's interesting to note that most of the proposed changes would bring the ET system very close to the New Zealand model, (except for the qualifying period increase - there is no such compulsory period in NZ). In NZ there is compulsory mediation (save, essentially, where it would achieve nothing) and that works relatively well. A lodgement fee is also charged. It is NZ$70 - to put that in perspective, the national minimum wage is NZ$12.75 an hour. The fee is modest and manageable for almost everyone. The Applicant recovers it from the Respondent if the Applicant wins.

27-Jan-2011

8:30 pm