Law specialists in tribunal discrimination warning

Top lawyers are adamant that government plans to take employment tribunals online could compromise fairness that a live hearing gives litigants – The Law Society Gazette reports.

The Employment Lawyers Association argues that online hearings must not become mandatory – noting that in cases such as unfair dismissal, live evidence enables a more nuanced consideration of claims.

The work-law specialists noted that plans to digitise tribunal processes could discriminate against the five per cent of the adult population without access to the internet – or adequate help.

The association also advised that online tribunal systems should be designed with smartphones and tablets in mind, to ensure poorer people – who tend to rely upon these devices for web access – are not unduly disadvantaged if potential tribunal changes occur.