You might be wondering whether you have to pay legal costs in the employment tribunal.
The answer is usually “No” – especially when you instruct a legal advisor such as Paul Doran Law, because we will protect you by ensuring the case is run correctly.
However, if you act unreasonably, you risk a heavy penalty. The story below is extreme, but it highlights the dangers.
Case study: Legal costs
Chee Hwee Tan was senior vice president of global procurement at Millennium & Copthorne Hotels. After he was made redundant, he claimed he was paid less than colleagues because he’s gay and of Chinese Singaporean ethnicity.
In 2017, he brought eight claims against his employer, and submitted more than 3,000 pages of documents to the tribunal in an attempt to implicate his colleagues. He had made covert recordings of conversations with colleagues, which undermined the trust and confidence between him and his employer.
The tribunal found the redundancy process was fair, and all his claims were dismissed as unfounded and vexatious.
Tan was given “plenty of opportunity” to withdraw, yet chose to attempt to manipulate the system knowing he would lose.
He will now have to refund the hotel group a record amount of £432,000 in legal costs.
What this means to you
Legal costs are not often awarded. When they are, the average award is £2,400. This case is a rare exception.
For commercial reasons, companies will sometimes agree to settle claims by disgruntled employees even before they reach the courts.
But don’t let that tempt you to bring an unfounded claim. If you do, you risk a heavy penalty.
In summary, unfair dismissal works both ways. Your employer should behave fairly, but so must you.
Further reading
For more information on this subject, you might find our other articles useful:
- Settlement agreements; How much does legal advice cost?
- How do I claim for unfair dismissal?
- How can I pay for an employment law claim?
Make an Enquiry Now
To make a FREE enquiry based on any of the issues raised on this page call us on 0808 168 7288, or complete an Online Enquiry.
We have already helped thousands of people to win millions of pounds in compensation.
We will also discuss the best methods of funding your case and seek to reach a solution that best suits your needs. This can involve a “no-win, no-fee” agreement if appropriate.