On 26 October 2001, the trade and industry secretary, Patricia Hewitt, announced that she was setting up an Employment Tribunal System Taskforce [1] to make recommendations to ministers on how employment tribunal services can be made more efficient and cost-effective for users in the context of rising caseloads. Although the remit of the taskforce does not cover the primary legislative framework in which employment tribunals operate, nor the nature of the employment rights they deal with, it will advise on the operational aspects of likely legislative changes resulting from the recent consultation exercise on government proposals to curb tribunal claims (UK0108142N [2]). The taskforce is due to report to ministers in spring 2002.[1] http://www.employmenttribunalsystemtaskforce.gov.uk/[2] www.eurofound.europa.eu/ef/observatories/eurwork/articles/controversy-over-proposed-employment-tribunal-charges
In October 2001, the UK government announced the establishment of a taskforce to advise on the implementation of reforms to the employment tribunal system. The taskforce is due to report in spring 2002.
On 26 October 2001, the trade and industry secretary, Patricia Hewitt, announced that she was setting up an Employment Tribunal System Taskforce to make recommendations to ministers on how employment tribunal services can be made more efficient and cost-effective for users in the context of rising caseloads. Although the remit of the taskforce does not cover the primary legislative framework in which employment tribunals operate, nor the nature of the employment rights they deal with, it will advise on the operational aspects of likely legislative changes resulting from the recent consultation exercise on government proposals to curb tribunal claims (UK0108142N). The taskforce is due to report to ministers in spring 2002.
The move comes against the background of sharp differences of opinion between the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) over the reforms necessary to the employment tribunal system (UK0110106N). The Financial Times has reported that members of the taskforce will include John Cridland, deputy director-general of the CBI, and Brendan Barber, deputy general secretary of the TUC, although its full composition has yet to be announced. The taskforce will be chaired by leading lawyer Janet Gaymer.
Patricia Hewitt said in a statement: 'The employment tribunal system needs reform and modernisation. The taskforce will help the government make the system more efficient and cost-effective for users, implement new technology to help streamline casework, and budget realistically for change.'
The establishment of the taskforce suggests that cost savings, both for government and employers facing tribunal claims, remain a priority, despite reports in September that ministers had decided to drop the controversial proposal to charge employment tribunal applicants, intended to deter unrealistic claims (UK0110106N).
In early October, the TUC published its response to the government's July 2001 consultation document on improving the resolution of individual employment disputes (UK0108142N). The TUC is critical of a number of the government's proposals. It argues that wider union recognition and the introduction of consultation arrangements in line with the draft EU information and consultation Directive (EU0110206F) are likely to lead to the establishment of proper dispute resolution procedures in the workplace, and would be more effective in reducing litigation than some of the ideas in the consultation paper.
Eurofound recommends citing this publication in the following way.
Eurofound (2001), New taskforce to advise on employment tribunal reforms, article.
