Employment Tribunal Fast Track announced
Tuesday, 30th March 2010
Marginalised workers awarded payouts at Employment Tribunals from employers will be given extra help to claim their damages, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced.
Following announcements by Justice Minister Bridget Prentice, from April 6th this year the creation of a new Employment Tribunal Fast Track scheme will simplify the payment process for successful claimants.
Support from High Court Enforcement Officers will put pressure on reluctant employers to pay their court ordered damages and address the current trend of employers refusing to acknowledge payouts.
Research published by the MoJ last year showed 39% of people granted awards by tribunals had not been paid and only 53% were paid in full, while the details of more than 570 individuals and companies which failed to make payments were added to MoJ databases.
“The Government is determined to ensure people are not denied access to justice by a small minority of unscrupulous individuals or companies who refuse to respect the award. The fast track will ensure all recipients can pursue their awards with ease,” said Minister Prentice.
After an initial and one-off £50 court fee, a writ to seize assets to the tune of court awards would be issued on behalf of an affected employee. The £70.50 High Court Enforcement Officers would normally charge the employee if the award could not be recovered will also be waived.
The scheme has been created following discussions with Citizens Advice, which has lobbied for a cost free process to help employees.
“We warmly welcome this measure, which we hope will give the Employment Tribunal system the teeth it needs to ensure that rogue employers actually pay the awards made against them,” added Richard Dunstal, Social Policy Officer for Citizens Advice.
“All too often at present, a successful claim to the tribunal proves to be a hollow victory. That is unfair to the claimants, to the taxpayer, and to the great majority of employers who abide by the law.”
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