ET next week - hints?

[justguy]

Defending an ET claim next week .. anyone have any hints for the actual tribunal hearing proceedings?

 

[KidsBeeHappy]

Listen to your barister and do what they tell you.
Don't get emotional.

 

[Employment Law Clinic]

Turn your phone off. And then take the battery out...

... I did have a client last year who was adamant their phone was off. When an alarm started sounding, I was delighted as the only other person to my left was the claimant I was cross-examining at the time. The judge wasn't at all happy - and nor was I when I found out it was my client's phone!


Karl Limpert

 

[ASeelhoff]

Get there in good time. Dress appropriately. Phone off. Make sure you answer the questions you are asked and not the ones you want to answer. Stay civil and polite and take a book.

 

[justguy]

Thanks all for the hints. The difficult bit will indeed be staying calm; we believe the employee has hired a Barrister so not looking forward to being baited and provoked

 

[LimeHR]

Some general guidance is provided here http://edit.equalityhumanrights.com...s/Theemploymenttribunalprocess.aspx?section=6 and also here http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?type=RESOURCES&itemId=1074482334

Try not to be too fazed by the fact the employee has a barrister and don't be inclined to fill in answers with more information than the question requires. So if the answer can be made by a simple yes or no then just give that answer, most witnesses try to be too helpful and fill in all the gaps with more information than is needed.

 

[sjbeale]

As well as the useful tips already posted, you just need to be truthful and consistent with documentation that will back up your case having acted fairly and reasonably you have a high chance of winning. I have posted 10 top tips about winning an ET on my website on the useful articles page if you would care to have a look.

 

[justguy]

Well, that was an .... interesting experience. Barristers don't half go on a lot.

Hard to listen to witnesses blatantly lying - lovely to see your solicitor catch them out.

Do have to say, hearing a barrister sum up their case makes you want to give up there and then; it sounds so darn good. And interesting to play the game of deciding which tribunal member is from the CBI and which from the TUC.

Sadly, the tribunal members could not finish their deliberations today due to the excessive case documents - and now have to wait until end of Nov for a decision. Grrrr ....

Thanks all for the hints - appreciated. 4 days I don't particularly ever want to experience again.

 

[yorkshirejames]

Well, that was an .... interesting experience. Barristers don't half go on a lot.

Hard to listen to witnesses blatantly lying - lovely to see your solicitor catch them out.

Do have to say, hearing a barrister sum up their case makes you want to give up there and then; it sounds so darn good. And interesting to play the game of deciding which tribunal member is from the CBI and which from the TUC.

Sadly, the tribunal members could not finish their deliberations today due to the excessive case documents - and now have to wait until end of Nov for a decision. Grrrr ....

Thanks all for the hints - appreciated. 4 days I don't particularly ever want to experience again.

Wow - must have been serious to take four days. Hopefully you'll get the right result, do tell us when the time comes.