Government publishes draft order allowing employment judges to hear unfair dismissal cases sitting alone

The Government has published draft legislation to enable employment judges to hear unfair dismissal cases sitting alone, from 6 April 2012. 

Employment tribunals normally comprise an employment judge and two lay members. However, under s.4(3) of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996, there are certain proceedings that may be heard by an employment judge sitting alone, including breach of contract and redundancy pay claims. Once enacted, the draft Employment Tribunals Act 1996 (Tribunal Composition) Order 2012 will enable employment judges also to hear unfair dismissal cases alone, unless they direct otherwise. 

The change was originally proposed by the Government in "Resolving workplace disputes: a consultation" and forms part of wider proposed reforms to the employment tribunal system. 

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XpertHR's legal timetable provides summaries of forthcoming and recently implemented legislation, including other forthcoming changes to tribunal procedure. 

XpertHR reports on "the most radical reform to the employment law system for decades"