Employment Tribunals president hands down ‘practice direction’ on retirement age claims

The president of the Employment Tribunals, HHJ Meeran, has handed down a ‘practice direction’ staying all current and future tribunal claims which concern the UK’s mandatory retirement age.

The judgement on the legality of the UK’s mandatory retirement age is not expected until early 2009. Charity Heyday, which is taking the case to Europe, has encouraged employees made to retire before then to lodge claims in advance.

Now Meeran has said the cases will all be stayed until the European Court of Justice has dealt with the Heyday case.

The practice direction applies in England and Wales, with cases in Scotland referred to chairmen for individual decisions.