Under a new judicial listing policy, standard unfair dismissal cases will now be listed for a one-day hearing to be heard within 16 weeks. Standard directions will require parties to exchange documents six weeks after the claim is issued, with preparation of an agreed bundle by the respondent two weeks later and the exchange of witness statements ten weeks from issue. Parties will need to apply promptly to vary these directions if necessary.
The change makes it even more important that managers are aware of the need to respond promptly to a claim, to enable the tight timescale to be met.
The new policy will not apply to unfair dismissal claims combined with discrimination, whistleblowing or other complex claims.
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Steve Bell
Managing Partner - Employment, Industrial Relations and Safety (Australia, Asia), Melbourne
Emma Rohsler
Regional Head of Practice (EMEA) - Employment Pensions and Incentives, Paris
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