From 18th July 2001 new rules come in to regulate the way employment tribunals operate.

The changes include:

• A new statement of the principles to guide the Tribunal, explaining that the tribunal has an overriding objective to deal with cases justly.
• Tribunal involvement in case management will increase with them having powers to further the overriding objective by giving directions to the parties.
• A raise in the level of costs which a Tribunal may award from £500 to £10,000 where a party to a case has acted vexatiously or unreasonably.

The power to strike out weak cases.

An increase in the level of deposit which can be required at a pre-hearing review as a condition for continuing with a weak case from £150 to £500.

Tribunals will now be able to order costs against the party where its representative has acted vexatiously or unreasonably in conducting the case. Also, it can impose costs if, in its opinion, a party, or representative has acted vexatiously or unreasonably.

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