Tribunal Representation Service

Sentient provide employment tribunal representation services for employers who are having to defend claims brought by current or former employees or workers.   

The Employment Tribunal receive in excess of 100,000 new cases each year. It is not unusual to see costs and awards reaching £50,000 or above.  Irrespective of the type of claim, Sentient are able to assist employers throughout all stages of the tribunal process, from formulating the defence, dealing with case management, through to advocacy at the substantive hearing.

Whilst we believe that prevention is better than a cure so our 24-hour employment helpline and HR support service for employers ensures that advice is available to keep you on the right side of the law.   Hopefully, you will never find yourselves in a position where our employment tribunal representation services are required; but just in case, with our help you should be able to defend from a position of strength.

The law gives employees the right to make an Employment Tribunal claim for:

• Unfair, constructive or wrongful dismissal
• Breach of contract
• Redundancy & redundancy pay
• Discrimination on grounds of race, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief
• Maternity, paternity and parental related reasons
• Assertion of a Statutory Right
• Health and Safety concerns
• Trade union duties or activities
• Unlawful deduction from wages
• Holiday pay claims
• Whistleblowing
• Flexible working requests

Our employment tribunal advocates are experts in:

• identifying the claims and issues;
• formulating the defence and case strategy;
• recognising and addressing any jurisdictional and/or preliminary issues;
• collating the documentary evidence for disclosure;
• drafting witness statements;
• preparing for the hearing, briefing witnesses, cross examination questions, and preparing the legal argument having regard to prevailing legislation and case law.

Sentient’s employment tribunal advocates hold your hand every step of the process. While you have the right to represent yourself at an employment tribunal, those who are not familiar with the process can find it a daunting and stressful experience. Our employment tribunal advocates have the knowledge and advocacy skills to ensure that your case is defended and articulated in the strongest possible way.

Before a claim can be raised at the Employment Tribunal, in most cases the Claimant (employee or ex-employee) must contact ACAS as part of pre-claim conciliation.  This is where ACAS try and broker a settlement between the employer and Claimant to avoid a claim being lodged at the Employment Tribunal.

It has been said, that you do not need legal representation at this stage, because ACAS will assist in the case being settled.  However, this is not what necessarily in practice.   ACAS Conciliators do an excellent job in trying to broker a deal, but their aim is to settle the case, regardless of the blame, liability or settlement value.  Unfortunately, often ACAS act only as a ‘go-between’ passing offers and counter-offers between you and the Claimant.

Sentient can liaise with ACAS on your behalf and advance some of the legal arguments with any offers; and/or counter-respond to any points advanced by the Claimant, with the ultimate aim of persuading the Claimant to accept a commercial settlement without the need to resort to the Employment Tribunal.