Employment tribunal changes have come into effect from Friday 6th April as part of the Government's employment law reform measures.

There were 218,000 tribunal claims in 2010-11, a rise of 44% since 2008-09, with each business spending nearly £4,000 per claim on average defending itself. There is an additional average cost of a £1,900 to the taxpayer per claim.

The changes mean that from 6th April:

• The qualifying period for claiming unfair dismissal will rise from one to two years.
• Judges will be able to sit alone in unfair dismissal cases.
• Witness statements can be provided in writing as opposed to the current rules where a witness reads their own statement out aloud.
• The maximum level for costs awarded to businesses winning a vexatious tribunal claim will rise from £10,000 to £20,000. Deposit orders required by claimants when a judge determines that a part of claim is unmerited will increase from £500 to £1,000.

The Government has also announced its intention to publish the average value of awards and time taken to reach a hearing. Included in the guidance for tribunal application and response forms, this information will provide all parties with a greater understanding about what to expect from the tribunal process before they enter the system.