RETROSPECTIVE LIABILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL COSTS

Early day motion 110, tabled 15 November 2002 by Andy King (Labour). Signed by 42 members.

That this House notes the problems caused to many parties in employment tribunals by the ruling that costs may be awarded without the need for a detailed assessment, from ú500 to ú10,000, in tribunals which had commenced before the change in regulation; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to amend Regulation 14 of the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2001 to remove the retrospective element, on the grounds that it is unfair, is causing stress and financial hardship to those who had engaged in the tribunal process in good faith long before such changes were introduced.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 8, Conservative 2, Scottish National Party 2, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.