Statutory Instruments
2013 No. 1237
Employment Tribunals
The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013
Made 28th May 2013
Laid before Parliament 31st May 2013
Coming into force
for the purpose of regulations 1, 3 and 11 1st July 2013
for all other purposes 29th July 2013

The Secretary of State, in exercise of the powers conferred by section 24(2) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 , sections 1(1), 4(6) and (6A), 7(1), (3), (3ZA), (3A), (3AA), (3AB), (3B), (3C) and (5), 7A(1) and (2), 7B(1) and (2), 9(1) and (2), 10(2), (5), (6) and (7), 10A(1), 11(1), 12(2), 13, 13A, 19, and 41(4) of the Employment Tribunals Act 1996 , paragraph 37 of Schedule 6 to the Scotland Act 1998 , and paragraph 32 of Schedule 9 to the Government of Wales Act 2006 , makes the following Regulations.
1974 c. 37.
1996 c. 17; by virtue of section 1 of the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998 (c. 8) industrial tribunals were renamed employment tribunals and references to “industrial tribunal” and “industrial tribunals” in any enactment were substituted with “employment tribunal” and “employment tribunals”. Section 4(6) was amended by the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998, Schedule 1, paragraph 12(4), and by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (c. 15), Schedule 8, paragraphs 35 and 37. Section 4(6A) was inserted by the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998, section 3(6), and amended by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 8, paragraphs 35 and 37. Section 7(3)(f)(i) was repealed by the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1998, Schedule 1, paragraph 14(2); section 7(3)(ia) was inserted by the Employment Act 2002 (c. 22), section 24(1); and section 7(3)(h) was amended by the Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Schedule 26, paragraphs 27 and 29. Section 7(3ZA) was inserted by the Employment Act 2002, section 25. Section 7(3A) to (3C) was inserted by the Employment Rights (Dispute Resolution) Act 1999, section 2, and section 7(3A) was then substituted by the Employment Act 2002, section 26. Section 7(3AA) and (3AB) was inserted by the Employment Act 2008 (c. 24), section 4. Section 7A was inserted by the Employment Act 2002, section 27, and section 7A(1) was amended by the Tribunals Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 8, paragraphs 35 and 41. Section 7B was inserted by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 8, paragraphs 35 and 42. Sections 10 and 10A were substituted by the Employment Relations Act 1999 (c. 26), Schedule 8, paragraph 3, and section 10(6) was then substituted by the Employment Relations Act 2004 (c. 24), section 36. Section 12 was amended by the Equality Act 2010, Schedule 26, paragraphs 27 and 30. Section 13 was amended by the Employment Act 2002, section 22(1). Section 13(2) was amended by the Employment Relations Act 1999, section 44, Schedule 4, paragraph 4 of Part III, and Schedule 9. Section 13A was inserted by the Employment Act 2002, section 22(2). Section 19(1) was renumbered as such by the Employment Act 2002, section 24(4), and was amended by sections 24(3), 53 and 54 of, and Schedule 7, paragraph 23(1) and (3), and Schedule 8 to, that Act.
1998 c. 46.
2006 c. 32.
The Secretary of State has consulted with the Administrative Justice and Tribunals Council, and that Council has consulted with the Scottish Committee and the Welsh Committee, in accordance with paragraph 24 of Schedule 7 to the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 .
2007 c. 15.

Citation and commencement
1. (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2013 ...
Words in reg. 1(1) omitted (6.1.2025) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(2)
(2) This regulation and regulations 3 and 11 come into force on 1st July 2013 and the remainder of these Regulations (including the Schedules) come into force on 29th July 2013.

Revocation
2. Subject to the savings in regulation 15 the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 are revoked.
S.I. 2004/1861.

Interpretation
3. ... In these Regulations—
“2004 Regulations” means the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004;
“appointing office holder” means, in England and Wales, the Lord Chancellor, and in Scotland, the Lord President;
“Employment Tribunals Act” means the Employment Tribunals Act 1996;
“Lord President” means the Lord President of the Court of Session;
“national security proceedings” means proceedings in which a direction or order under rule 93 of the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024 is in force;
“President” means either of the two presidents appointed from time to time in accordance with regulation 5(1);
“Regional Employment Judge” means a person appointed or nominated in accordance with regulation 6(1) or (2);
“Senior President of Tribunals” means the person appointed in accordance with section 2 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007;
“Tribunal” means an employment tribunal established in accordance with regulation 4 and, in relation to any proceedings, means the Tribunal responsible for the proceedings in question, whether performing administrative or judicial functions;
“Vice President” means a person appointed or nominated in accordance with regulation 6(3) or (4).
Words in reg. 3 omitted (6.1.2025) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(3)(a)
Words in reg. 3 substituted (6.1.2025) by The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(3)(b)

Establishment of employment tribunals
4. There are to be tribunals known as employment tribunals.

President of Employment Tribunals
5. (1) There shall be a President of Employment Tribunals, responsible for Tribunals in England and Wales, and a President of Employment Tribunals, responsible for Tribunals in Scotland, appointed by the appointing office holder.
(2) A President shall be—
(a) a person who satisfies the judicial-appointment eligibility condition within the meaning of section 50 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 on a 5-year basis;
(b) an advocate or solicitor admitted in Scotland of at least five years standing; or
(c) a member of the Bar of Northern Ireland or solicitor of the Supreme Court of Northern Ireland of at least five years standing.
(3) A President may at any time resign from office by giving the appointing officer holder notice in writing to that effect.
(4) The appointing officer holder may remove a President from office on the ground of inability or misbehaviour, or if the President is made bankrupt or makes a composition or arrangement with his creditors.
Word in reg. 5(4) substituted (6.4.2016) by The Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 (Consequential Amendments) (Bankruptcy) and the Small Business, Enterprise and Employment Act 2015 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2016 (S.I. 2016/481), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 12
(5) Where a President is unable to carry out the functions set out in these Regulations, those functions may be discharged by a person nominated by the appointing office holder (save that any nomination in relation to England and Wales shall be made by the Lord Chief Justice following consultation with the Senior President of Tribunals, rather than by the Lord Chancellor).
(6) The Lord Chief Justice may nominate a judicial office holder (as defined in section 109(4) of the Constitutional Reform Act 2005 ) to exercise his functions under this regulation.
2005 c. 4; section 109 was amended by the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007, Schedule 8, paragraph 63.

Regional Employment Judges and the Vice President
6. (1) The Lord Chancellor may appoint Regional Employment Judges.
(2) The President (England and Wales) or the Regional Employment Judge for an area may nominate an Employment Judge to discharge the functions of the Regional Employment Judge for that area.
(3) The Lord President may appoint a Vice President.
(4) The President (Scotland) or the Vice President may nominate an Employment Judge to discharge the functions of the Vice President.
(5) Appointments and nominations under this regulation shall be from the salaried Employment Judges on the panel referred to in regulation 8(2)(a).
Word in reg. 6(5) substituted (6.4.2014) by The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/271), regs. 1, 2

Responsibilities of the Presidents, Regional Employment Judges and Vice President
7. (1) The President shall, in relation to the area for which the President is responsible, use the resources available to—
(a) secure, so far as practicable, the speedy and efficient disposal of proceedings;
(b) determine the allocation of proceedings between Tribunals; and
(c) determine where and when Tribunals shall sit.
(2) The President (England and Wales) may direct Regional Employment Judges, and the President (Scotland) may direct the Vice President, to take action in relation to the fulfilment of the responsibilities in paragraph (1) and the Regional Employment Judges and Vice President shall follow such directions.

Panels of members for tribunals
8. (1) There shall be three panels of members for the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales) and three panels of members for the Employment Tribunals (Scotland).
(2) The panels of members shall be—
(a) a panel of Employment Judges who—
(i) satisfy the criteria set out in regulation 5(2) and are appointed by the appointing office holder; or
(ii) are able to act as Employment Judges by virtue of paragraph (2A) or (2B);
Reg. 8(2)(a) substituted (8.10.2020) by The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1003), regs. 1(2), 3(a)
(b) a panel of persons appointed by the Lord Chancellor after consultation with organisations or associations representative of employees; and
(c) a panel of persons appointed by the Lord Chancellor after consultation with organisations or associations representative of employers.
(2A) A relevant tribunal judge may act as an Employment Judge if the conditions in paragraph (2C) are satisfied.
Reg. 8(2A)-(2I) inserted (8.10.2020) by The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Early Conciliation: Exemptions and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1003), regs. 1(2), 3(b)
(2B) A relevant judge may act as an Employment Judge if the conditions in paragraph (2C) are satisfied and—
(a) the relevant judge consents; and
(b) unless the relevant judge is the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the appropriate consent has been given.
(2C) The conditions are—
(a) the judge is nominated by the Senior President of Tribunals; and
(b) the President who is responsible for the panel the judge will act as a member of consents to the judge acting in a particular case.
(2D) The relevant President must consult the other President before consenting under paragraph (2C)(b) to any individual judge acting for the first time as a member of the panel for which the relevant President is responsible.
(2E) A person who has been appointed to one panel of Employment Judges may act as a member of the other panel of Employment Judges if—
(a) the person is nominated by the Senior President of Tribunals; and
(b) the Presidents responsible for both panels consent to the person acting for such period as the Presidents shall specify.
(2F) Consent under paragraph (2E)(b) can be withdrawn at any time by either President.
(2G) In paragraph (2B)(b) “the appropriate consent” means—
(a) the consent of the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales where the relevant judge is—
(i) the Master of the Rolls or an ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales;
(ii) the President of the Queen’s Bench Division or Family Division, or the Chancellor, of the High Court in England and Wales;
(iii) a puisne judge of the High Court in England and Wales;
(iv) a circuit judge;
(v) a district judge in England and Wales;
(vi) a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts);
(vii) a deputy judge of the High Court in England and Wales;
(viii) a Recorder;
(ix) a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts);
(x) a deputy district judge appointed under section 8 of the County Courts Act 1984 or section 102 of the Senior Courts Act 1981;
(xi) the holder of an office listed in the first column of the table in section 89(3C) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (senior High Court Masters etc);
(xii) the holder of an office listed in column 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 2 to that Act (High Court Masters etc); or
(xiii) the Judge Advocate General or a person appointed under section 30(1)(a) or (b) of the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1951 (assistants to the Judge Advocate General);
(b) the consent of the Lord President where the relevant judge is—
(i) a sheriff; or
(ii) a summary sheriff;
(c) the consent of the Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland where the relevant judge is—
(i) a Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland;
(ii) a puisne judge of the High Court in Northern Ireland;
(iii) a county court judge in Northern Ireland; or
(iv) a district judge in Northern Ireland.
(2H) In this regulation “relevant judge” means a person who—
(a) is the Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales, the Master of the Rolls or an ordinary judge of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales (including the vice-president, if any, of either division of that Court);
(b) is the President of the Queen’s Bench Division or Family Division, or the Chancellor, of the High Court in England and Wales;
(c) is a Lord Justice of Appeal in Northern Ireland;
(d) is a puisne judge of the High Court in England and Wales or Northern Ireland;
(e) is a circuit judge;
(f) is a sheriff in Scotland;
(g) is a summary sheriff;
(h) is a county court judge in Northern Ireland;
(i) is a district judge in England and Wales or Northern Ireland;
(j) is a District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts);
(k) is a deputy judge of the High Court in England and Wales;
(l) is a Recorder;
(m) is a Deputy District Judge (Magistrates’ Courts);
(n) is a deputy district judge appointed under section 8 of the County Courts Act 1984 or section 102 of the Senior Courts Act 1981;
(o) holds an office listed in the first column of the table in section 89(3C) of the Senior Courts Act 1981 (senior High Court Masters etc);
(p) holds an office listed in column 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 2 to that Act (High Court Masters etc); or
(q) is the Judge Advocate General or a person appointed under section 30(1)(a) or (b) of the Courts-Martial (Appeals) Act 1951 (assistants to the Judge Advocate General).
(2I) References in paragraph (2H)(d) to (j) to office-holders do not include deputies or temporary office-holders.
(3) Members of the panels shall hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of their appointment, but may resign from office by written notice to the person who appointed them under paragraph (2), and any member who ceases to hold office shall be eligible for reappointment.
(4) The President may establish further specialist panels of members referred to in paragraph (2) ....
Words in reg. 8(4) omitted (27.1.2024) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal (Composition of Tribunal) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/94), regs. 1(1), 8(2) (with reg. 9(b))

Composition of tribunals
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reg. 9 omitted (27.1.2024) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal (Composition of Tribunal) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/94), regs. 1(1), 8(3) (with reg. 9(b))

National security proceedings – panel of members and composition of tribunals
10. (1) The President shall select—
(a) a panel of persons from the panel referred to in regulation 8(2)(a);
(b) a panel of persons from the panel referred to in regulation 8(2)(b); and
(c) a panel of persons from the panel referred to in regulation 8(2)(c),
who may act in national security proceedings.
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reg. 10(2) omitted (27.1.2024) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals and Employment Appeal Tribunal (Composition of Tribunal) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/94), regs. 1(1), 8(4) (with reg. 9(b))

Legal officers
10A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Regs. 10A-13 omitted (6.1.2025) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(4)

Responsibilities of legal officers
10B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Practice directions
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Power to prescribe
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of Schedules 1 to 3
13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Register and proof of judgments
14. (1) The Lord Chancellor shall maintain a register containing a copy of all judgments and written reasons issued by a Tribunal which are required to be entered in the register under the Employment Tribunal Procedure Rules 2024.
Words in reg. 14(1) substituted (6.1.2025) by The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(5)
(2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reg. 14(2) omitted (6.4.2014) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/611), regs. 1, 2
(3) A document purporting to be certified by a member of staff of a Tribunal to be a true copy of an entry of a judgment in the register shall, unless the contrary is proved, be sufficient evidence of the document and its contents.

Appeals against notices given under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974
14A. A person may appeal against an improvement notice or a prohibition notice given by an inspector under section 21 or 22 respectively of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 by presenting a claim to the Tribunal so that it is received—
(a) before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice which is the subject of the appeal is sent to the appellant, or
(b) within such further period as the Tribunal considers reasonable where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for an appeal to be presented within that period.
Regs. 14A, 14B inserted (6.1.2025) by The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(6)

Appeals against notices given under the Energy Act 2013
14B. A person may appeal against an improvement notice or a prohibition notice given by an inspector under paragraph 3 or 4 respectively of Schedule 8 to the Energy Act 2013 by presenting a claim to the Tribunal so that it is received—
(a) before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the date on which the notice which is the subject of the appeal is sent to the appellant, or
(b) within such further period as the Tribunal considers reasonable where it is satisfied that it was not reasonably practicable for an appeal to be presented within that period.

Transitional provisions
15. (1) Subject to paragraphs (2) and (3), these Regulations and the Rules of Procedure contained in Schedules 1 to 3 apply in relation to all proceedings to which they relate.
(2) Where a respondent receives from a Tribunal a copy of the claim form before 29th July 2013, rules 23 to 25 of Schedule 1 do not apply to the proceedings and rule 7 of Schedule 1 to the 2004 Regulations continues to apply.
(3) Where in accordance with Schedules 3 to 5 of the 2004 Regulations, a notice of appeal was presented to a Tribunal before 29th July 2013, Schedule 1 does not apply to the proceedings and Schedule 3, 4 or 5, as appropriate, of the 2004 Regulations continues to apply.
Jo Swinson
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Employment Relations and Consumer Affairs
Department for Business, Innovation and Skills

SCHEDULE 1 THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS RULES OF PROCEDURE
Regulation 13(1)

INTRODUCTORY AND GENERAL

Interpretation
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Overriding objective
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alternative dispute resolution
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Time
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Extending or shortening time
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Irregularities and non-compliance
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Presidential Guidance
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

STARTING A CLAIM

Presenting the claim
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Multiple claimants
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rejection: form not used or failure to supply minimum information
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rejection: absence of Tribunal fee or remission application
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rejection: substantive defects
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reconsideration of rejection
13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Protected disclosure claims: notification to a regulator
14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

THE RESPONSE TO THE CLAIM

Sending claim form to respondents
15. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Response
16. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rejection: form not used or failure to supply minimum information
17. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Rejection: form presented late
18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reconsideration of rejection
19. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Applications for extension of time for presenting response
20. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Effect of non-presentation or rejection of response, or case not contested
21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notification of acceptance
22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

EMPLOYER'S CONTRACT CLAIM

Making an employer's contract claim
23. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notification of employer's contract claim
24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Responding to an employer's contract claim
25. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

INITIAL CONSIDERATION OF CLAIM FORM AND RESPONSE

Initial consideration
26. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dismissal of claim (or part)
27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dismissal of response (or part)
28. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

CASE MANAGEMENT ORDERS AND OTHER POWERS

Case management orders
29. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Applications for case management orders
30. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Postponements
30A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Disclosure of documents and information
31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Requirement to attend to give evidence
32. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Evidence from other EU Member States
33. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Addition, substitution and removal of parties
34. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Other persons
35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lead cases
36. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Striking out
37. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Unless orders
38. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Deposit orders
39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-payment of fees
40. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RULES COMMON TO ALL KINDS OF HEARING

General
41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Written representations
42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Witnesses
43. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Inspection of witness statements
44. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Timetabling
45. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hearings by electronic communication
46. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Non-attendance
47. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conversion from preliminary hearing to final hearing and vice versa
48. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Majority decisions
49. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Privacy and restrictions on disclosure
50. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WITHDRAWAL

End of claim
51. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dismissal following withdrawal
52. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

PRELIMINARY HEARINGS

Scope of preliminary hearings
53. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Fixing of preliminary hearings
54. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Constitution of tribunal for preliminary hearings
55. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When preliminary hearings shall be in public
56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

FINAL HEARING

Scope of final hearing
57. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Notice of final hearing
58. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When final hearing shall be in public
59. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DECISIONS AND REASONS

Decisions made without a hearing
60. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Decisions made at or following a hearing
61. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reasons
62. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Absence of Presiding Member
63. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Consent orders and judgments
64. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When a judgment or order takes effect
65. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Time for compliance
66. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Register
67. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Copies of judgment for referring court
68. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Correction of clerical mistakes and accidental slips
69. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

RECONSIDERATION OF JUDGMENTS

Principles
70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application
71. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Process
72. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reconsideration by the Tribunal on its own initiative
73. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

COSTS ORDERS, PREPARATION TIME ORDERS AND WASTED COSTS ORDERS

Definitions
74. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Costs orders and preparation time orders
75. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When a costs order or a preparation time order may or shall be made
76. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procedure
77. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The amount of a costs order
78. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The amount of a preparation time order
79. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

When a wasted costs order may be made
80. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Effect of a wasted costs order
81. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procedure
82. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Allowances
83. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Ability to pay
84. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS

Delivery to the Tribunal
85. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Delivery to parties
86. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Delivery to non-parties
87. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Special cases
88. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Substituted service
89. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Date of delivery
90. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Irregular service
91. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Correspondence with the Tribunal: copying to other parties
92. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Digital case management
92A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MISCELLANEOUS

ACAS
93. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

National security proceedings
94. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Interim relief proceedings
95. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Proceedings involving the National Insurance Fund
96. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Collective agreements
97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Devolution issues
98. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transfer of proceedings between Scotland and England & Wales
99. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References to the Court of Justice of the European Union
100. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Transfer of proceedings from a court
101. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Vexatious litigants
102. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Information to the Commission for Equality and Human Rights
103. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of this Schedule to levy appeals
104. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of this Schedule to appeals against improvement and prohibition notices
105. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of this Schedule to appeals against notices given under the Energy Act 2013
105A. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Application of this Schedule to appeals against unlawful act notices
106. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schs. 1-3 omitted (6.1.2025) by virtue of The Employment Tribunals (Procedure Rules) (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2024 (S.I. 2024/1156), regs. 1(1), 4(7)

SCHEDULE 2 THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS (NATIONAL SECURITY) RULES OF PROCEDURE
Regulation 13(2)

Application of Schedule 2
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Serving of documents
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Witness orders and disclosure of documents
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Special advocate
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Hearings
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Reasons in national security proceedings
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

SCHEDULE 3 THE EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS (EQUAL VALUE) RULES OF PROCEDURE
Regulation 13(2)

Application of Schedule 3
1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

General power to manage proceedings
2. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conduct of stage 1 equal value hearing
3. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Standard orders for stage 1 equal value hearing
4. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Involvement of independent expert in fact finding
5. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conduct of stage 2 equal value hearing
6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Standard orders for stage 2 equal value hearing
7. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Final hearing
8. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Duties and powers of the independent expert
9. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Use of expert evidence
10. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Written questions to experts (including independent experts)
11. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Procedural matters
12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

National security proceedings
13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(This note is not part of the Regulations)
These Regulations replace the Employment Tribunals (Constitution and Rules of Procedure) Regulations 2004 (“the 2004 Regulations”). The rules of procedure in Schedules 1 to 3 replace the existing rules of procedure in the Employment Tribunals set out in Schedules 1 to 6 to the 2004 Regulations.
Regulations 4 to 6 provide for the establishment of Employment Tribunals and the appointment of the Presidents, the Vice President and Regional Employment Judges, and regulation 7 sets out the responsibilities of those office holders.
Regulations 8 and 9 detail who shall sit to determine proceedings in the Employment Tribunals and regulation 10 make special provision for the composition of Employment Tribunals when dealing with national security proceedings.
Regulation 11 gives each President power to make practice directions in relation to the area (either Scotland or England and Wales) for which the President is responsible.
Regulation 12 delegates to the Secretary of State the power to prescribe forms to be used by claimants and respondents in proceedings before an Employment Tribunal and regulation 12(2) lists the proceedings in which a prescribed form need not be used.
Regulation 13 provides that Schedule 1 to the Regulations is to apply to all proceedings before an Employment Tribunal. However, Schedule 1 is modified by Schedules 2 and 3 in relation to the proceedings to which those Schedules apply.
Regulation 14 makes provision for the maintenance of a register of judgments and written reasons issued by an Employment Tribunal.
Regulation 15 makes transitional provision in relation to the presentation of a response which contains an employer's contract claim and in relation to proceedings which were presented before 29th July 2013 and in respect of which Schedule 3, 4 or 5 of the 2004 Regulations applied. Subject to those transitional provisions, these Regulations apply to all proceedings before the Employment Tribunals.
Schedule 1 sets out the rules of procedure for claims before the Employment Tribunals. Rule 1 sets out the definitions relevant to those rules.
Rule 2 provides that the overriding objective of the rules is to enable the Employment Tribunals to deal with cases fairly and justly.
Rules 4 and 5 contain provisions on the calculation of time and extending and shortening time limits.
Rule 7 provides for the publication by the Presidents of guidance on the exercise of powers in the rules.
Rule 8 sets out the requirements for the presentation of a claim in the Employment Tribunals and rule 10 provides that a claim shall be rejected by an Employment Tribunal if a prescribed form is not used or certain information is not contained in the claim.
Rule 11 provides that, if any enactment requires a claim to be accompanied by a fee or an application for a remission from that fee and a claim is presented without such a fee or application, then that claim shall be rejected.
Rule 12 provides that an Employment Judge may reject a claim if the Employment Tribunals do not have jurisdiction to consider it, or it is in a form which cannot sensibly be responded to or is otherwise an abuse of process.
Rule 13 provides for the reconsideration of a rejection made under rule 10 or 12.
Rule 16 provides that a respondent has 28 days from the date that the copy of the claim was sent by an Employment Tribunal in which to present a response.
Rule 17 provides that a response shall be rejected if a prescribed form is not used or certain information is not contained in the response and rule 18 provides that a response shall be rejected if it is presented late.
Rule 19 provides for the reconsideration of a rejection made under rule 17 or 18.
Rule 20 allows a respondent to make an application for an extension of time for presenting the response to a claim.
Rule 21 sets out how an Employment Tribunal will determine a claim if no response is presented or the respondent does not contest a claim.
Rules 23 to 25 set out the process for presenting, and responding to, an employer's contract claim.
Rule 26 provides for an initial consideration of the claim and response. Rules 27 and 28 set out the process for the dismissal of all, or part, of the claim or response, if at this stage the Tribunal considers that the claim, response, or the part in question, has no reasonable prospect of success.
Rules 29 to 40 set out the Employment Tribunals' case management and other powers and the procedure for making applications for case management orders.
Rule 29 sets out the Employment Tribunals' general power to manage proceedings.
Rule 30 sets out the procedure for making applications for case management orders.
Rule 36 introduces a lead case mechanism, which enables an Employment Tribunal to identify claims giving rise to common or related issues of fact and law, specify one or more of those claims as a lead claim, and stay (in Scotland sist) the other claims. The related cases shall be bound by decisions in the lead case on the related issues, although a party may apply for such a decision not to apply to a related case.
Rule 37 provides the Employment Tribunals with the power to strike out all or part of a claim or response if one the specified grounds applies.
Rule 38 provides that an unless order may specify that all or part of a claim or response shall be struck out if the order is not complied with by a specified date.
Rule 39 provides that where an Employment Tribunal considers that a specific allegation or argument in a claim or response has little reasonable prospect of success it can order the relevant party to pay a deposit of up to £1,000 as a condition of continuing to advance that allegation or argument.
Rule 40 sets out the consequences which will follow if a party fails to pay any fee required under any enactment.
Rules 41 to 50 set out the rules common to all kinds of hearings, including rules on written representations (rule 42), witnesses (rule 43) and timetabling (rule 45).
Rule 50 provides that an Employment Tribunal may make an order to prevent or restrict disclosure of any aspect of proceedings so far as necessary in the interests of justice. Paragraph (3) lists examples of orders which may be made under this rule. Any person with a legitimate interest may, if he or she did not have opportunity to make representations before the order was made, apply for such an order to be revoked or discharged.
Rules 51 and 52 set out the procedure for withdrawal of a claim and provide for dismissal following withdrawal.
Rules 53 to 56 set out the scope of, and procedure for, preliminary hearings. Rules 57 to 59 set out the scope of, and procedure for, final hearings.
Rules 60 and 61 concern decisions made by an Employment Tribunal and rule 62 concerns reasons given by an Employment Tribunal.
Rule 65 sets out when a judgment or order takes effect and rule 66 sets out the time for compliance with a judgment or order which requires the payment of money.
Rules 70 to 73 set out the procedure for reconsideration by an Employment Tribunal of a judgment.
Rules 74 to 84 describe the circumstances in which a costs (in Scotland, expenses), preparation time, or wasted costs order may be made.
Rules 85 to 91 concern the requirements on delivery of documents to an Employment Tribunal, parties and non-parties.
Rule 92 introduces a new requirement on parties to copy all communications which they send to an Employment Tribunal to all other parties.
Rule 99 provides that proceedings may be transferred between Scotland and England and Wales.
Rule 104 modifies the application of the rest of Schedule 1 in relation to levy appeals under the Industrial Training Act 1982 (modifications for such proceedings appeared in Schedule 3 to the 2004 Regulations).
Rule 105 modifies the application of the rest of Schedule 1 in relation to appeals against an improvement or prohibition notice under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (modifications for such proceedings appeared in Schedule 4 to the 2004 Regulations).
Rule 106 modifies the application of the rest of Schedule 1 in relation to appeals against an unlawful act notice under the Equality Act 2006 (modifications for such proceedings appeared in Schedule 5 to the 2004 Regulations).
Schedule 2 modifies the application of Schedule 1 in relation to proceedings in which a direction is given, or an order is made, under rule 94 (national security proceedings) of Schedule 1.
Schedule 3 modifies the application of Schedule 1 in relation to proceedings involving an equal value claim (as defined in rule 1 of Schedule 3).