Publication of Employment Tribunal Judgments

In early February 2017 the Ministry of Justice formally launched its website of employment tribunal decisions. Presently the website contains decisions from 2015 onwards. Future tribunal decisions handed down in England, Wales and Scotland will also be uploaded onto the website.

Previously those decisions were archived and available if requested in writing and a fee paid to the Courts and Tribunal Service. 

This increased accessibility may cause some concern for employers as the risk of adverse publicity for the business is now much greater. Allegations made about personnel or confidential or commercial information will now be more readily accessible than before. 

On the plus side the publication of decisions should provide helpful examples of how employment tribunals approach issues of fact and law, which will assist all parties in deciding whether their case is worth proceeding with. It will also be a useful tool to have details of the amounts awarded to provide realistic expectations as to remedy for future cases.