Many clients who are experiencing difficulties at work, (including being unfairly dismissed or suffering with discrimination), can do without the added pressure and worry of legal fees. My post below sets out some critical costs information if you are considering Employment Tribunal proceedings.
Ways To Fund Employment Tribunal Representation
The first thing to note is that you do not need a solicitor to represent you in the Employment Tribunal. You can represent yourself. Alternatively, you may seek support from your Union, or you may be eligible for other support such as legal aid, or pro-bono representation. Further information about funding can also be found here https://lincslaw.co.uk/fees/employees/
What About Legal Expenses Insurance
Another way to get help with legal fees is to see if you have the benefit of something called Legal Expenses Insurance, or, it may be termed, Family Legal Protection. If you have got Legal Expenses Insurance, or Family Legal Protection, this benefit could assist you cover some or even all the legal costs associated with your Employment Tribunal claim – usually, from the point of issuing the claim. The benefit is a real asset and can save clients thousands of pounds and remove the added pressure of mounting legal costs.
How Do I Know If I Have Legal Expenses Insurance
Legal expenses insurance can usually be found as a benefit attached to home insurance. That said, some of my clients have had no idea they had this cover in place because their insurer made no charge for it. Whilst some providers may provide this benefit for free, others may only charge a small yearly premium, of say between £15 to £30 a year. For this reason, the benefit can very easily be overlooked and so I always advise clients to check their home insurance to see if legal expenses insurance or family legal protection is available. It is also important to check any other insurance policies held, such as car, contents, credit card, bank accounts etc… to see if the cover is included. Don’t be deterred if you can’t immediately find the words legal expenses insurance, as I have mentioned above, the cover could be termed “family legal protection” or words to that effect. If in doubt, just call your insurance provider to get a clear and definitive answer.
How To Access The Cover
If you have got the benefit of legal expenses insurance, or family legal protection then there are certain steps that need to be taken to access the cover on the policy. I am always happy to help clients through this process, and I appreciate it can be a little daunting dealing with the paperwork. Most insurers will require a summary of the key facts of the case, an assessment on prospects of the case succeeding, a valuation of the potential compensation, an estimated timeframe for the case to reach a conclusion, and the likely costs associated with pursuing the case. As I say, I am always happy to help clients provide this information to their insurers.
If on receipt of the above information the legal expenses insurer is happy that the claim has reasonable prospects of succeeding and it is proportionate to pursue, they are likely to agree to cover all reasonable legal costs and disbursements. Cover tends to be available from the point that proceedings can be issued and so this would be after any internal procedures (such as grievance or discipline) and after any ACAS early conciliation.
Lincs Law Employment Solicitors Can Help You
If you are considering issuing a claim in the Employment Tribunal and need help, simply use the contact form, engage in a web chat, email contactus@lincslaw.com or call us on 01522 440512 and we’ll be happy to help.
Sophie Goodwill, Director & Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Tel: 01522 440512 / Email: sophie.goodwill@lincslaw.com
Tags: Employment Tribunal Costs and Fees Employment Tribunal Funding Family Legal Protection How to fund Employment Tribunal claims legal expenses insurance