Forbes' Employment Team - Tribunal work for Registered Providers

Aside from the provision of routine advice to our clients, the Employment team at Forbes has significant experience in working with housing associations on specific projects, including running grievance and disciplinary investigations, and advising on each stage throughout restructures. We also support clients in defending tribunal claims and providing legal advice and representation throughout the proceedings.

In our experience, we are able to add the most value where we are involved in the process before a claim is issued, for example at the disciplinary stage.

We take away the burden that a tribunal claim brings as we manage the full process at all stages; including the preparation of a defence, the drafting of robust witness statements and provision of support to witnesses, regular updates on prospects of success and the value of the claim, a costs benefit analysis around settlement and dealing with settlement negotiations.

Officers' time is lost, and legal costs are incurred once a claim is brought by an employee. There is also the uncertainty of an outcome, which at present is likely to persist for a significant period of time as tribunals across the country are busy and it is taking up to 24 months for final hearings to be listed in some instances from the date of issuing a claim. We therefore understand that sometimes preference may be had towards negotiating a settlement and we are able to deal with the negotiations in order to seek a settlement on the best terms in the circumstances.

Nevertheless, where cases are not settled, as we have extensive experience of conducting advocacy in house (as opposed to instructing external barristers), we are able to offer representation at any hearing which may arise as part of the tribunal process. Particularly if we are instructed from the outset of a potential claim, your advocate will have an in-depth and meticulous knowledge of the case, relevant individuals, and the evidence, which is advantageous in tribunal.

We are experienced in defending a diverse range of claims within the Housing sector, including unfair dismissal, constructive unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and discrimination. If you'd like to discuss how Forbes can support you at any stage of a tribunal claim, please don't hesitate to contact Alice McKenna on Alice McKenna.