Sources of advice and support with representation in the Employment Tribunal 

You can get lots of advice and information from the Working Families’ website.  We specialise in family friendly rights, including some aspects of discrimination law which relate to pregnancy, maternity and flexible working.  

In addition to our webpages, we have a free advice helpline 0300 012 0312 where you can speak directly to a rights advisor, explain your situation, and ask questions about your rights at work.  

You can also contact us by using our advice contact form and we will respond with our written advice on your situation, and suggested next steps.  

You should check to see if you already have legal expenses insurance. This might be an additional benefit (even if you are not aware of it) of your home contents insurance policy.  

Other types of insurance policy which may include legal expenses cover can include:  

• Car insurance policy; 
• Credit card insurance via your bank or provider; 
• Mortgage insurance via your bank or provider; or 
• AA membership.   

Policy holders are often not aware that their insurance includes cover for legal expenses, so check all of your policies.  

If you have insurance, you are normally entitled to choose your lawyer.  In some cases, it is an offence for the insurer not to allow you to choose your lawyer. The Regulations which confirm an individual’s right to choose their own lawyer are the Insurance Companies (Legal Expenses Insurance) Regulations S.I. 1990/1159. 

It is essential to find a legal adviser who understands employment law, and maternity and family friendly rights. We suggest you consult a legal directory such as The Legal 500, or that you look at the adviser’s website or do other research, to find out if they have the experience required to take on your case. 

Other sources of help include Law Centres, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Advice Local or other advice agencies.  Both the Law Centres Federation and Citizens Advice and Advice Local have websites where you can see whether there is a Law Centre or CAB near you.  Some agencies have more expertise in employment law than others, and many are restricted to advising people within their particular catchment area. It is worth asking to see somebody there who has employment law expertise. 

The charity Law Works may be able to offer free mediation or casework. 

The Online Employment Tribunal Litigants in Person Support Scheme (Online ELIPS) offers free one-off advice clinics, held online for people representing themselves in Employment Tribunal cases.
Eligible participants must have a live claim in one of the following tribunals:
London Central
Bristol
Cardiff
Midlands West
Leeds
You must also have a hearing, case management order, or judicial mediation due within two weeks of the clinic date. Applicants should have their ET1, ET3, and any tribunal documents ready. Places are limited and offered on a first-come basis. See the ELIPS website for further information.

There are some organisations which may be able to arrange for you to be represented at the final hearing.  In order to obtain help from these organisations, you will need to be referred by either an advice agency or a solicitor. If you want to find free representation, you should try to find someone to represent you as soon as the Employment Tribunal has given you a hearing date(s) – don’t leave looking for a representative until close to the hearing date, as you will be very unlikely to find anyone who can step in at the last minute. 

Here is some further information which you may find helpful in finding a representative for an Employment Tribunal hearing:

National pro bono centre

The free representation unit

You may be able to obtain legal support from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in cases of discrimination. EHRC provides free information, advice and support through the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), which has a free helpline. 

Legal Aid funding is only available for employment cases involving discrimination.   

To get Legal Aid, you will need to pass both a merits test (that the case has prospects of success) and a means test (a review of your financial circumstances).  

To pass the means test, you will need to confirm your gross monthly income (or combined income if you have a partner), your net income (after tax, housing and other costs, and any savings or assets which you have – for example, if you own your home. Some Law Centres have employment caseworkers who can advise you on the merits of your case, and who can do the means test with you.  

Check your eligibility for Legal Aid online.

If you are a member of a Trade Union, you should ask your union to support you in bringing your case. It may be that your union will offer you representation by a Trade Union official, or by one of the union’s own lawyers.  Sometimes a trade union will agree to pay for a lawyer of your own choosing. 

Some professionals such as doctors or lawyers will have a professional association which may be able to offer employment law advice to their members.  

The Employment (and Tax) Tribunal Customer Contact Centre can provide answers to some questions, for example it can explain how the Employment Tribunal system works. The phone number is: 0300 123 1024 and will normally be free of charge if you have a phone package that includes free calls to UK landlines.  

This service cannot give you legal advice.  

Some solicitors firms will offer assistance on a “no win no fee” basis.  In employment cases, this is likely to be the case only where the lawyer believes that you have a strong claim, and that you are likely to recover sufficient compensation to cover the costs of the legal assistance.  

If you are able to afford to do this, we suggest that you instruct a solicitor who is an expert in maternity and family friendly rights.   A good solicitor will give you honest advice about the strengths and weaknesses of your case, the likely costs and s/he should try to resolve your case as soon as possible and so keep the costs you have to pay to a minimum. 

The Law Society provides information on finding a solicitor here.

If you’ve made or are considering a legal claim against your employer, they may offer to settle. A settlement typically involves agreeing on the terms of your departure and a compensation payment, in exchange for you withdrawing your claim and not taking further action. If you are considering a settlement agreement, you can contact Yess Law.