Employment Tribunal fees – refund scheme announced

Employment Tribunal fees – refund scheme announced

Nearly three months after employment tribunal fees were abolished, the government has today revealed the scheme to refund those who were incorrectly charged.

The refund scheme will begin with an initial four week phase for refunds being issued to those who have contacted the Ministry of Justice since the Supreme Court’s judgment. This phase is primarily aimed at those making applications for refunds in single claims.             

The government’s plan to roll out the full refund scheme will be in early November. At that point, anyone who has paid a fee in the Employment Tribunals, whether in single or multiple claims, will be able to claim a refund.

As well as being refunded their original fee, successful applicants to the scheme will also be paid interest of 0.5%, calculated from the date of the original payment up until the refund date.

Those who will be eligible to apply for a refund under the scheme are:

  • People who paid a fee directly to the Employment Tribunal or Employment Appeal Tribunal and have not been reimbursed by their opponent pursuant to an order of the Tribunal.
  • People who were ordered by the Tribunal to reimburse their opponent their fee and who can show that they have paid it.
  • Representatives who paid a fee on behalf of another person and have not been reimbursed by that person.
  • The lead Claimant (or representative) in a multiple claim who paid a fee on behalf of the other Claimants.

To receive a refund, applicants will be invited to complete an application form with their details, details of their employment tribunal claim and the fees that they paid.

People who paid the fees, but have not been invited to take part in the initial refund stage, have been invited to register online or by post.

If you have paid tribunal fees you wish to recover we are able to assist you, please register your interest using a ‘Contact Us’ form and explaining your situation or alternatively call a member of the expert team on 0116 212 1000 / 01858 445 480.

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