Judicial Mediation at Employment Tribunal
What is Judicial Mediation?
Judicial mediation is another way to resolve your employment dispute. It's currently available throughout England and Wales. A trained employment judge helps you to find a solution quickly, they must remain neutral, like an ACAS conciliator, but they can offer remedies which are not available in conciliation or at the tribunal hearing. You can get conciliation from ACASand Judicial mediation if you are offered both. Normally it is offered in cases where the employment hasn't ended yet. Sometimes judicial mediation is given after judicial assessment. Most of the cases that go through judicial mediation are resolved on the day. Most of those that aren't, are still able to reach a settlement agreement before their hearing based on their discussions in judicial mediation.
In Scotland there is a similar scheme, but it is only available for claims including unfair dismissal or discrimination, and normally only if they would last three days or more if they went to a full hearing.
How much does Judicial Mediation cost?
The employer must pay a £600 fee
What is the Judicial Mediation Process?
- 1
In your preliminary hearing, the judge will decide if your case is suitable.
- 2
If yes: The regional judge will review your case and decide whether to offer you judicial mediation
- 3
If yes: You will receive an offer by telephone
- 4
If you accept: the judge will make any necessary changes to orders and hearing dates on this call too
- 5
You will both attend a judicial mediation meeting with an employment judge, who will try to assist you to resolve your dispute, without taking sides.
- 6
The contents of your mediation meeting is private and confidential. Once it is finished, the details of it cannot be used or referred to in any further hearings and the judge who mediated for you can no longer be involved in the case.
If you are able to agree on a solution: You will sign a settlement agreement which is a contract that makes the agreed solution legally binding
Frequently Asked Questions
Judicial mediation itself is not binding. If you reach an agreement, you will sign a settlement agreement. Once this has been signed, it is legally binding.
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This content is provided free of charge for information purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied on as such. No responsibility for the accuracy and/or correctness of the information and commentary set out in the article, or for any consequences of relying on it, is assumed or accepted by any member of our company. For employment law advice please get in contact and speak to your employment law solicitors.
Find Out More:
- Before going to tribunal you must notify ACAS
- What to expect from the employment tribunal process
- How much does an employment tribunal cost?
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