Employment Tribunal

Dogue2014

Hello everyone

I have been directed here by a friend who says you guys are all very helpful.
I would be extremely grateful for an advice regarding my situation.

I am representing myself at an employment tribunal.

the witness statements were meant to be exchanged last week but the respondent's solicitor asked for an extension.
the extension was given and the new date is tomorrow.

the respondent's solicitor has contacted me to ask if we can exchange next week?

I am going into hospital on thursday and dont know when i will be out.
I therefore want to send my statement tomorrow, the date requested by the respondent and agreed by the judge

I dont however, want to put the respondent at an unfair advantage of seeing my statement before i see theirs?

My friend has advised me to send my statement to the tribunal office only, i am then complying with the judge's order.

Would this be acceptable?
Will the judge be angry at the respondent for not submitting their statements on time?

I am really at a loss as to how these things work.

thank you to anyone who reads this and to anyone who can offer me some advice.

Undervalued

Dogue2014 wrote: »

Will the judge be angry at the respondent for not submitting their statements on time?

Slightly maybe but very unlikely to do anything meaningful about it I'm afraid.

However you should still comply with the judges directions. Two wrongs don't make a right.

Ultimately all evidence has to be declared. If theirs is so late you don't have time to study it properly then you have good grounds to ask for an extension.

Draw their failings to the attention of the tribunal but don't overdo it!

Dogue2014

thank you for your reply

would it be acceptable to send my statement to the tribunal only? i.e. not to the respondent until they send theirs?

i really dont want them to have my statement first, as all of my cards are on the table and they will have time to amend theirs.

whitewing

If they keep asking for an extension, they may just be hoping that you give up eventually when life gets in the way.

Undervalued

Dogue2014 wrote: »

would it be acceptable to send my statement to the tribunal only? i.e. not to the respondent until they send theirs?

Not really. If you have been told to exchange on a certain date then you need to do your part.

Ultimately their statement will either be true or false. It the latter then you will need to challenge it at the tribunal if it gets that far.