Initial Claim Response

Receiving a tribunal claim can be unsettling, but how an employer responds at the earliest stage has a significant bearing on how the case develops. The response to a claim ÔÇö the ET3 ÔÇö sets out the employer’s position and is the foundation on which the entire defence is built. A poorly prepared or incomplete response can limit the employer’s ability to defend the claim effectively at a later stage.

Acting quickly and taking proper instructions from the outset gives the best opportunity to assess the strength of the claim, identify the key issues and put a clear, well-evidenced response before the tribunal.

We help you to:

• review the claim form and identify the legal basis and specific allegations being made
• take detailed instructions from the relevant managers and decision-makers involved
• assess the merits of the claim honestly and advise on the realistic prospects of defence
• draft a clear and comprehensive ET3 response that sets out the employer’s position accurately
• meet the response deadline and manage any applications for an extension where required
• consider at the outset whether early resolution or settlement is a more appropriate course of action
• engage with the ACAS early conciliation process where it presents a genuine opportunity to resolve the dispute