Ticking the boxes

The ET rules require an application to the tribunal (the ET1 form) to be ‘accompanied’ by a fee or an application for remission; but the online claim mechanism doesn’t provide any method of applying for remission at the same time – you have to send the remission application by post.

We noted in the 4th edition of ET Claims that this was a bit of a puzzle, and recommended posting the remission application the same day if possible – but in any event making sure it arrives within 7 days of the online claim.

This point was considered by the EAT In Deangate Ltd v Hatley (thanks to Daniel Barnett, as ever for the alert). Three claimants presented their claims online on the 2nd last day before the time limit expired. They hadn’t sent applications for remission with their claims – because there was no way for them to do so. But they had ticked the box saying they intended to apply for remission, and their applications were received within 7 days.

The Respondent tried arguing that the claims should be rejected because they weren’t ‘accompanied’ by the fee. Sensibly, the EAT was having none of it: ticking the ‘yes’ box counted as an application in the circumstances, even if an incomplete one; and it was reasonable to allow the claimants a further 7 days to complete their application

So our advice stands: send your remission application on the same day if at all possible, but in any event make sure it arrives within 7 days of your online ET1. If you leave it 8 days, the Respondent may well try this argument again – and might win it this time.

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