Virtual Law Steps Up to help Companies Get to Grips with New Employment Legislation

03 October 2011

George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, today confirmed that the current employment laws will undergo radical changes.  The confirmation rides on the coat tails of the reform proposals announced by the Government last week. Specifically, the reforms to Employment Legislation will hinge upon the following two points:

  • From 1 April 2012, the qualifying period for bringing a claim for unfair dismissal will increase from 1 year to 2 years. However, there will continue to be no qualifying period required to bring a discrimination claim.
  • A fee for bringing an employment tribunal claim will be charged from April 2013. The amount that will be charged and how it will be paid will be subject to consultation starting in November. There will, however, be arrangements to reduce or eliminate the fee for the low paid or those on income support. Reports suggest that the Government might propose an initial fee of £250 for a Claimant when lodging a claim with a further £1000 payable when the claim is listed for a hearing; higher fees are proposed to be charged if the claim is worth over £30,000.

Virtual Law’s Employment Law team are pleased to confirm that they are available to assist with general advice and queries on the new legislation.  Employers seeking general guidance are invited to contact the team through the Employment Matters Live! surgery, which takes place on Thursdays between 1200 and 1300 GMT.  To take part, simply complete an online booking form and we will send you a PIN. 

* There is no cost for participating in a Virtual Seminar, Event or Employment Matters Live!. However, you will have to pay for your conference call. Calls cost £0.043/minute from a BT landline and the conference should not exceed 1 hour. Call costs from mobiles or other land lines may vary.

Disclaimer: Virtual Law, through the VirtualBrief, Employment Matters Live! Forum, the Virtual Law Innovation Hotline and Virtual Seminars, provides general advice and legal updates in relation to the legal issues raised. This guidance is not intended to be comprehensive and should not be relied upon as legal advice in any specific circumstances. If you require legal advice in relation to a specific issue, Virtual Law will be happy to assist with your enquiry.