Employment Tribunal Fees Judgement Welcomed

EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNAL FEES JUDGEMENT WELCOMED

A VICTORY FOR EQUALITY AND FAIR ACCESS TO JUSTICE

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has welcomed the Supreme Court ruling that employment tribunal fees, introduced by the Tory-Lib Dem Government in 2013, are unlawful.

SNP MPs strongly opposed the introduction of fees at Westminster, and the SNP committed to abolish them in Scotland when the administration of employment tribunals is transferred to the Scottish Government later in this parliament.

Commenting Patricia Gibson said:

“This is a welcome judgement against the UK Tory Government’s unfair and unlawful employment tribunal fees, which prevented workers getting access to the justice they deserve.

“The SNP strongly opposed the introduction of fees from the start. It was always clear that they would act as a huge barrier to justice for many workers who have faced unfair treatment or discrimination, and the evidence has sadly proven this to be the case, with 70% fewer tribunals since 2013, as many could not afford up to £1,200 in fees.

“The SNP rightly committed to scrapping these fees in Scotland once devolved at the earliest opportunity. The Tories will now be forced to do so while being forced to repay those claimants who were wrongly charged. It is shameful that the UK Tory Government refused to admit they were wrong and wasted so much public money defending this case.”

‘Employment tribunal fees unlawful, Supreme Court rules’

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-40727400

‘Scottish Government confirms plans to scrap tribunal fees’

http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/13639211.Scottish_Government_confirms_plans_to_scrap_tribunal_fees/