Leading East Anglia law firm hosts mock tribunal

Unfair dismissal, disciplinary allegations, discrimination and other employment-related problems can often lead to employees and employers facing the prospect of having their dispute heard by a tribunal, but how many of us have any idea of what this truly entails?

Leading East of England law firm Birketts will provide an informative and fascinating insight when it presents a mock employment tribunal on the 19th September at The University of East Anglia.

Aimed primarily at line managers and HR professionals, the event is a realistic employment tribunal complete with a judge and panel, witnesses and cross-examinations by London and Oxford based 13 KBW Chamber members Clare Harrington and Richard Owen-Thomas.

Judge Chris Ash who is now retired but was a serving Judge in Norwich for 19 years will be presiding over the Mock Tribunal. Judge Ash will have no prior knowledge of the scenario and will listen to the facts as presented on the day.

Jeanette Wheeler head of the Birketts employment team in Norwich said “Tribunals can be extremely time-consuming for senior managers and HR professionals. If a case does end up at tribunal, there are, potentially, significant financial awards and legal fees, together with disruption to management time.”

“Being involved in an employment tribunal can be a daunting prospect. With employment litigation on the rise, it is helpful for HR practitioners and employers to know what to expect. The mock tribunal provides the opportunity to observe how a tribunal is conducted in practice and a chance to gain a better understanding of the process.”

Jeanette continued “Any manager who is involved in the process of disciplining or managing grievances is likely at some time to have to appear as a witness at tribunal and knowing what to expect and the detail in which the decision is to be scrutinised is invaluable and we strongly urge those managers to attend”.

The Birketts mock employment tribunal takes place on 19th September in the Thomas Paine lecture theatre at The University of East Anglia Norwich. There are still limited places available.

For more information pleasecontact Alastair Clark on 01245 211 334 or email [email protected]