Employment Tribunal Representation

Sentient provides employment tribunal representation services for employers in need of defending claims brought by current or former employees or workers. 

The Employment Tribunal receives more than 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 can assist employers throughout all stages of the tribunal process, from formulating the defense, and dealing with case management, to advocacy at the substantive hearing.

On the other hand, we also believe that prevention is better than a cure. Our 24-hour employment helpline and HR support services for employers ensure 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.

Contact Sentient for professional and pragmatic employment law representation, or give us a call to learn more about our HR services for employers.

Sentient provides total employment tribunal support, including

• 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 will help you prepare your case in six simple steps:

1. identifying the claims and issues;
2. formulating the defense and case strategy;
3. recognising and addressing any jurisdictional and/or preliminary issues;
4. collating the documentary evidence for disclosure;
5. drafting witness statements;
6. 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 tries and broker a settlement between the employer and the Claimant to avoid a claim being lodged at the Employment Tribunal.

Usually, employers do not need legal representation at this stage, because ACAS will assist in the case being settled. However, things may be different depending on your case.  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 counteroffers 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.