WorkRep does not charge for advice and (resources permitting) advises workers throughout their case wherever they live in the UK.
Continuing financial difficulties mean that we may make a suggestion for a donation to help us cover our costs.
Although we hope you will wish to support our work you are not obligated to respond to this polite request.
If you lose your case at tribunal, there is a possibility that an employer will apply to the tribunal for a costs order. WorkRep advises/represents claimants threatened with costs. By the time of the last update of this page in September 2009:
no costs actions by employers have yet succeeded against clients of WorkRep
Your best protection from costs is that of having a valid legal case (being wronged by an employer is sadly not always enough justification to bring a case at tribunal), of not being seen to be bringing a tribunal case as a way of getting back at a previous employer (If the tribunal believes a claimant has done this and the employer incurs high legal bills then the worker can expect little sympathy from the tribunal if he loses. The tribunal has the ultimate sanction available of referring a case to the county court where there is an unlimited ceiling on the amount of the costs awardsed, of acting politely reasonably and cooperatively towards the other side (no matter what the history of your case is), of acting in a timely manner (both before and during the tribunal hearing) and in taking advice from WorkRep when necessary.
The above does not mean to say that you are expected to give in to every demand made by the opponent's representatives (if you are conducting your own case) as they can behave very unreasonably.
Please note that we do not represent workers bringing claims against trades unions. Despite legitimate grievances sometimes existing, WorkRep believes that financial awards against unions undermine the interests of workers in general. If you have a complaint against a union you should follow complaints procedures and use your democratic right to bring about change within your union.
More information about costs actions:-
Defending Costs Actions
We try and answer all emails within a week. If there are particular problems with the service we will usually put a notice on the frontpage of the website indicating this. If you have
not heard from WorkRep after some weeks (or sooner if the 3 month deadline is near) you
should consider making an application to the tribunal yourself with the help of another advice agency or a solicitor. WorkRep can not takes responsibility for any time limits lapsing whilst the merits of your case are being considered.
When considering going to a tribunal you should seek advice at the
earliest opportunity. PleaseDo not wait until the last minute. Last minute tribunal
applications are invariably bad
applications. Making a last minute application is also stressful for those helping you, and you will have damaged your case
even before it has started. The tribunal might not even allow you to bring the case!
A good rule of thumb is to keep in mind that you normally need to apply to a tribunal within 3 months of acts complained of.