*/
The introduction of court and tribunal fees has led to a ‘precipitate drop’ in the number of cases brought, according to a cross-party committee of MPs.
The House of Commons Justice Committee said that following the introduction of fees of up to £1,250 in 2013, cases dropped by almost 70%.
The number of employment tribunal cases brought by individuals fell by about 67% to around 4,500 per quarter from October 2014 to June 2015. While the number of multiple claims declined by 72% from 1,500 per quarter in the year to June 2014 to around 400 per quarter since October 2013.
The report, Courts and Tribunal Fees, said that the regime of employment tribunal fees has had a ‘significant adverse’ impact on access to justice for meritorious claims.
It urged the government to make a ‘substantial reduction’ to the fees, increase the disposable capital and monthly income thresholds, and give ‘special consideration’ to women alleging maternity or pregnancy discrimination. It also recommended scrapping the increased fee for divorce petitions.
The Ministry of Justice said it will consider the report, but that it was right for court users to relieve the taxpayers’ burden.
The introduction of court and tribunal fees has led to a ‘precipitate drop’ in the number of cases brought, according to a cross-party committee of MPs.
The House of Commons Justice Committee said that following the introduction of fees of up to £1,250 in 2013, cases dropped by almost 70%.
The number of employment tribunal cases brought by individuals fell by about 67% to around 4,500 per quarter from October 2014 to June 2015. While the number of multiple claims declined by 72% from 1,500 per quarter in the year to June 2014 to around 400 per quarter since October 2013.
The report, Courts and Tribunal Fees, said that the regime of employment tribunal fees has had a ‘significant adverse’ impact on access to justice for meritorious claims.
It urged the government to make a ‘substantial reduction’ to the fees, increase the disposable capital and monthly income thresholds, and give ‘special consideration’ to women alleging maternity or pregnancy discrimination. It also recommended scrapping the increased fee for divorce petitions.
The Ministry of Justice said it will consider the report, but that it was right for court users to relieve the taxpayers’ burden.
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
Inés Rivera explains how speech recognition can help barristers create accurate documentation faster
What should barristers be doing on the personal finance front ahead of the end of the tax year on 5 April? Julian Morgan of Fleet Street Wealth answers your questions
Are you ready to embark on this arduous but potentially rewarding journey? Julie Gottlieb of Sherwood PSF Consulting provides a self-examination checklist, hints and tips to help you prepare for a future application
Unlocking your aged debt to augment cash flow in one easy step… By Philip N Bristow of Vector Professions Finance
The Westminster Commission on Miscarriages of Justice, set up to revisit the work of the CCRC after 25 years of operation, identified serious issues that risk miscarriages of justice remaining unidentified or unremedied. By Edward Garnier QC Michelle Nelson QC
Unsparing in his criticism, the former Attorney General reflects on recent events in government and his own experience of being chief legal adviser. Interview by Anthony Inglese CB
Making a move from the Bar to a career in governance: Maria Brookes outlines three good reasons to switch and how to do it
Sports coaches will be caught by a change in the law that addresses the disparity in treatment for 16- to 17-year-olds, writes Cameron Brown QC
Dissent and protest are a healthy safety valve for every democracy, write Sailesh Mehta and Caroline Baker, yet recent events have put the proposals around policing public protest under the spotlight and many do not like what they see
.tmb-carlisting.jpg?sfvrsn=1dbaf4a7_1){kind=avatar}