New
regulations come into force today to deter employees from taking frivolous and
vexatious claims to employment tribunals.
The
maximum deposit which may be imposed following a pre-hearing review increases
from £150 to £500.
There
is now a duty for tribunals to consider awarding costs in cases where the claim
had no reasonable chance of success.
The
maximum amount of costs that can be awarded without an assessment of costs
rises from £500 to £10,000
The
regulations also mean that the unreasonable conduct of a party’s representative
may be taken into account when deciding whether to order costs.
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Other
changes covered by the amendments to the employment tribunal rules of procedure
include the right of Crown employees – including members of the security and
intelligence agencies – to bring claims to employment tribunals in as similar
way as possible to other employees.
