Employment Appeal Tribunal

Overview

The Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) is a UK-wide tribunal hearing appeals on points of law from the Employment Tribunal in Great Britain and the Fair Employment Tribunal in Northern Ireland. It cannot rehear evidence — it considers whether the tribunal below got the law right. EAT hearings are normally before a single judge, though in some cases lay members (representing employer and employee interests) sit alongside.

What it handles

• Appeals from the Employment Tribunal on points of law
• Applications to set aside or vary EAT orders
• Bias or procedural irregularity points

What it does not handle

• Findings of fact from the tribunal below — only law
• Disability discrimination assessment of factual circumstances

Fees

• Filing an appeal: No fee

Deadlines

• Receipt of written reasons → 42 days to lodge Notice of Appeal at the EAT

Process

1. Step 1: Get written reasons

   Before appealing, ask the employment tribunal to send you the reasons for its decision if you don't already have them; you can continue your appeal while you wait for them.

2. Step 2: Submit the notice of appeal

   Read the practice direction and appeal guidance, fill in the notice of appeal form, and send it with the supporting documents listed on it to the EAT office (there is no fee to appeal).

3. Step 3: Meet the 42-day deadline

   You must appeal within 42 days of the date the decision was sent to you (or, in limited cases, the date the reasons were sent), and the appeal must arrive by 4pm on the final day.

4. Step 4: EAT decides if the case proceeds

   The EAT decides if your case can go ahead; if it can, you may be asked to attend a hearing, and if it cannot you'll be sent a letter explaining why and whether you can appeal further.

5. Step 5: Tribunal hearing

   You'll usually be told when a hearing will take place at least 14 days beforehand; at the hearing you (or a representative) present your case and the other party presents the case against you.

6. Step 6: Outcome

   You'll be told the outcome of the case either at the end of the hearing or afterwards by letter.

Appeals

Court of Appeal (Civil Division) in England & Wales; Inner House of the Court of Session in Scotland.

Representation

Solicitor and counsel typical; lay representatives accepted.

Official sources