Jurisdiction(s):
United Kingdom

Key definition

Employment tribunal definition

What does Employment tribunal mean? A specialist forum that decides employment disputes between workers and employers, typically statutory claims such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, equal pay, unlawful deduction from wages, breach of contract (on termination), redundancy pay, whistleblowing and working time. In England & Wales and Scotland, Employment Tribunals are statutory bodies established under the Employment Tribunals Act 1996. Procedure is governed by the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) 2013; claims are presented on form ET1 and responses on ET3; most claims must be presented within three months (subject to Acas early conciliation stop-the-clock). Cases are heard by an Employment Judge, sometimes with...

Judicial mediation in the Employment Tribunal: a practitioner’s guide to process, preparation, strategy and settlement (England, Wales and Scotland)

Published by a LexisNexis Employment expert

Practice notes

Judicial mediation

As with any litigation, Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is strongly promoted in Employment tribunal proceedings and, in some situations, can be obligatory. For represented parties there is typically a built-in incentive to settle claims, since the default rule is that each side meets its own costs regardless of who ultimately prevails. Settlement curbs expenditure whilst also sidestepping litigation risk.

This Practice Note outlines the process of judicial mediation, one of the ADR options offered by the employment tribunal to assist the consensual Resolution of disputes. Judicial mediation-unlike some other ADR routes available through the employment tribunal-is voluntary and depends on the agreement of both parties. The Practice Note is broadly divided into two parts (with an inevitable degree of overlap):

the first sets judicial mediation within the wider context of how ADR is used in the employment tribunal, and seeks to describe the mechanics of judicial mediation: when it occurs, what is required of the parties beforehand, and what to expect on the...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Kieran Wilson

Littleton Chambers

Kieran is an employment and equality law specialist, recognised as a leading junior in the legal directories. He practises across the full range of employment law matters, in both the statutory and business protection spheres, acting for a wide range of clients across various sectors. He has particular experience in complex discrimination cases and other multi-day Tribunal matters engaging technical points of law. He is frequently instructed from the outset of proceedings and is valued for the balance he strikes between technical legal analysis and commercial approach to case strategy....

Web page updated on 28/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...