The following details have been supplied by the TUC:
UNISON is to apply to appeal last year’s court ruling rejecting its claim for Judicial Review of the government's decision to introduce tribunal fees.
The union will ask the Court of Appeal to consider the “shocking” figures released last month that revealed employment tribunal claims dropped by 79 per cent in the first six months after the government imposed fees on workers bringing a claim.
The fees introduced on 29 July 2013 mean workers can be required to pay up to £1,200 for taking a tribunal complaint about issues including victimisation for workplace safety activities. The High Court had ruled it was too early to judge the full impact of the changes.
Dave Prentis, general secretary of UNISON, said: “There is absolutely no doubt that the government's decision to introduce fees has destroyed access to justice. The fall in the number of tribunal claims being lodged is staggering and these latest figures give the government nowhere to hide. We have argued all along that there can be no price placed on justice, but the sad fact is that this is exactly what is happening.” UNISON says its campaign has already secured a significant concession from the government, so claimants who are successful will in most cases have their fees reimbursed.
