What documents should I keep?

Keep your employment contract, payslips, grievance and disciplinary letters, relevant emails, text messages, and medical records if applicable.

Yes, a tribunal bundle is a paginated, indexed file containing all the documentary evidence both parties intend to rely on at the hearing.

What is a witness statement?

It is a formal written document setting out the factual evidence of a witness in their own words. It is usually read before the hearing by the judge.

How should I organise evidence?

Chronologically is almost always best. Create an index, number the pages clearly, and only include documents relevant to the legal issues.

Can AI help prepare my case?

AI can be excellent for organizing timelines, drafting chronologies, and identifying gaps in your narrative, though it does not replace formal legal advice.

Procedural Insight

How To Prepare For Employment Tribunal

Discover the essential steps for organizing your employment tribunal claim, from chronologies to evidence bundles.

The Direct Answer

Preparation often makes a significant difference. A well-organised case is usually easier to understand and present than a collection of emails and documents. The goal is clarity.

Detailed Explanation

Success at an employment tribunal heavily relies on how well your case is prepared and presented. Tribunals deal primarily with facts, timelines, and evidence, not just emotion. Preparation reduces stress and highlights the strengths of your claim.

Creating a precise chronology—a timeline of events—is one of the most critical steps. It helps you, the judge, and any representatives understand exactly what happened and in what order. Accompanying this should be a well-organized bundle of documents that serves as your evidence, mapped directly to your timeline.

Your witness statement is your opportunity to tell your story. It must be structured logically, cross-referencing the documents in your bundle rather than just summarizing them. Common mistakes include submitting hundreds of irrelevant emails, writing angry rather than factual statements, and failing to correctly calculate schedules of loss.

Common Mistakes

When dealing with complex procedures, panic or lack of clarity can lead to errors. Here are the most common mistakes people make:

Ignoring the situation hoping it will resolve itself.
Failing to seek professional guidance early enough.
Missing strict legal or procedural deadlines.
Communicating emotionally rather than factually.
Making informal agreements without getting them in writing.

Readiness Checklist

Preparation Checklist

Track your progress before taking action.

Have you gathered all relevant documents and correspondence?

Do you know the exact dates of key events?

Have you identified your main objectives or desired outcomes?

Are you aware of any upcoming deadlines?

Have you kept a record of all communications?

Frequently Asked Questions

Need Clarity on Your Situation?

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Article Author

Jeff Harris

Senior Adviser, Litigancy

Over 35 years' experience across finance, business, property and complex disputes. Today Jeff combines real-world experience with Alfred to help people understand complicated situations and make better decisions.

Published: January 2024•Updated: June 2024