Priced Out: the impact of employment tribunal fees on access to justice

TUC response to Ministry of Justice consultation

New research commissioned by the TUC reveals that most single people paid the minimum wage will not have to pay to go to a tribunal. However a significant proportion of those earning £6.08 an hour, who are part of a couple, will be required to pay up to £345 or more to enforce their basic workplace rights.

This is because the test for the ability to pay will be based on household income rather than an individual's earnings. This assumes that all household income is shared equally between a couple. The TUC does not agree that a woman's capacity to enforce her individual rights should depend on her partner's consent.

Download TUC's full submission to the Ministry of Justice consultation on fees for employment tribunals [PDF]