31 July 2013

Unison has won the right to a judicial review against the Coalition's newly introduced employment tribunal fees.

This comes after the union had its initial request for a judicial review rejected on paper, leading it to seek an oral hearing, which was held on Monday (29 July 2013) and which allows Unison to take its claim to court in October.

Originally, the union hoped to stay the introduction of the fees, which were brought in on Monday alongside a tranche of other reforms to employment tribunals.

"The timing could not be more critical, but today we are one step closer to justice for workers," General Secretary of Unison Dave Prentis said.

"It is disappointing that in the interim fees will still be paid, but we will be making a strong case for a judicial review in October because we believe that fees are unfair and should be dropped."

Another judicial review has been given the green light in Scotland, where Fox and Partners law firm has obtained a legally-binding undertaking stating that if the fees are found to be illegal at judicial review, the government will be forced to pay back all fees that have been paid by claimants so far.