Employment Tribunal advice - self-representation? Help please!

touchstone

Thank you again to all of you who posted on this thread or sent me private messages with words of advice and support. I have submitted my ET1, so now I shall just have to wait and see what happens...

If anyone else in a similar situation is thinking of self-representation, may I echo WeakHeart's suggestion of getting that book ('Employment Tribunal Claims: Tactics and Precedents', by Naomi Cunningham and Michael Reed)? It's excellent, and has really helped me through the initial part of what may be a very labyrinthine process.

Thank you everyone - I was feeling very lost and unsure about the process before I posted on here, but I'm now feeling much more positive and confident, and ready for the expected barrage of hostility that will be thrown at me. Hopefully, as my case involves an element of long-term bullying, my ex-employer won't want it to get to Tribunal, but we shall see. I'm definitely prepared if it does!

Amber07

Hi - just wanted to wish you luck, my husband has taken his ex employers to tribunal - had three days so far, awaiting another 4.(!)

I done most of the legwork myself, submitting the ET1 etc, we didn't actually get a solicitor on board until 6 months in so you are as well to do it yourself for now.

Make sure you keep EVERYTHING and keep detailed notes/dates/times of everything that has gone on.

As a previous poster mentioned - check your home insurance. We never knew we could be covered, we actually got a years free legal aid when I took out the policy which was just sheer luck. Check the details, you never know.

farrukh999

Hi,

I have also started this processs as I was made redundant last year under dubious circumstances, I had complained about my new manager and the 2 others who also complained about him were also made redundant.

I have submitted my ET1 form and will be self representing as I cannot afford a solicitor and it's not on my home insurance policy.

Mudd14

I must say that the ET process is quiet simple and there are very good guides about each step on the ET website. Good luck with your case, we are all here if you need supoort along the way

pawpurrs

Any update on all the hearings?

touchstone

Thanks for asking, Pawpurrs. I'm in the disclosure stage at the moment, which is due to end very soon, and I have a tribunal date. My ex-employer refused to discuss the possibility of settlement through ACAS, so I'm getting ready for a big fight. It's going to be a bit difficult, as I feel like I'm rather groping in the dark, but I'm giving it my best shot. I'm getting so psyched up that I'm actually going to be quite disappointed if they settle before the tribunal!

One thing I am concerned about, and I wonder if anyone has any ideas, is that I don't see where I could get any witnesses from. I can't ask anyone to jeopardise their employment (and I can't imagine they would, no matter how friendly we have been in the past), so I guess I can't call anyone. Do any of you who've brought cases before have any experience of this? It looks like it'll just be my word against theirs, which is a bit unfortunate.

And that book WeakHeart recommended is still really helping - thanks WeakHeart! :-D

greendollar

If you feel that someone at your old firm would be of help at your tribunal but won't attend voluntarily then you can ask the tribunal to order them to appear , the're called hostile witnesses and will be under oath to tell the truth , why not ask some of your old colleagues ? you might be pleasantly surprised , if they're not that keen point out the above .

touchstone

Thanks greendollar - that's a good idea. I think I'll try that. There's enough bad feeling at the firm that I've already been told by one ex-colleague that she couldn't be seen to volunteer as a witness for me, but if I call her as a 'hostile' witness, she'll happily do it!

Feeling rather wobbly about it all, but am going to grit my teeth and hold my nerve. Thanks for all your support everyone!

touchstone

Hello everyone - just thought I'd give you the latest, as you've all been so kind as to express an interest. Through ACAS, my ex-employer offered me a derisory sum (12.5% of what I've asked for) before documents were exchanged. As what I've asked for is extremely reasonable, and I've been told that a tribunal would give me a similar, if not higher, amount if I won at a hearing, I refused, but I counter-offered, which they rejected.

Documents were therefore exchanged, but I've asked for more stuff that I think will help and which hasn't been disclosed by my ex-employer. There were no smoking guns in the documents they disclosed to me, and nothing that I wasn't already prepared to deal with, so I'm now just working through it and sorting out my own witness statement, with a view to asking the tribunal to call some people who wouldn't/couldn't otherwise stand as witnesses.

I shall keep you posted, but I'm getting my teeth into it!

greendollar

Well done , my ex-employers offered me , after nearly 2 years of stalling , £1000 not to turn up on the day . I turned it down and the tribunal lasted about 5 mins where the judge tore their solicitors to shreds for not complying with an order , then he adjourned for 3 months so they can get their act together . Unbelievable .