A Professional Tutor at the School of Law, Swansea University has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honourable Kenneth Clarke QC MP, as a Fee Paid Employment Judge of the Employment Tribunals (England and Wales).
Laura Howden-Evans has been assigned to the Wales region of the Employment Tribunal and will commence work in the role in spring 2011. The position requires Laura to sit on her own as Employment Judge or as part of an employment tribunal panel in settling employment disputes. She will be expected to sit for 30 days per year.
Ms Howden-Evans said: “I am very honoured to take on this new role, particularly as it is serving the Employment Tribunal in Wales. Employment tribunals strive to ensure access to justice to employees and employers alike.
“The workplace provides much more than a salary; it provides workers and managers with self esteem and has a huge impact on an individual’s quality of life. As a passionate employment lawyer, I am excited to become a part of the decision-making process.”
Professor Noel Thompson, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Acting Head of the School of Law at Swansea University, concluded: “The School of Law is proud and pleased at Laura’s appointment. She is a valued member of the teaching team on the Swansea Legal Practice Course and her commitment and enthusiasm for employment law make this a well-deserved appointment.
This year, the Tribunals Service’s Annual report revealed a 56% rise in Employment Tribunal claims between 2008/09 and 2009/10. The Service attributed the increase – to the highest recorded number of 236,100 – to the changing economic climate and to the number of multiple claims, which rose by nearly 90% on 2008/09. There was however, also an increase of 14% in single claims brought over the year.
The report also revealed there had been increases in the number of claims in respect of all forms of discrimination, other than sex discrimination. Age discrimination claims increased by the largest percentage (37%).
Cases that are successfully taken forward result in an average payout of £113,667, with the biggest amount being £3.8m.
