Dealing with a tribunal decision?
A tribunal judgment is rarely the final moment it feels like. Whether the outcome was in your favour or not, understanding what happens next — enforcement, appeal, or moving on — matters.
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What happens
What to expect at this stage
Read and understand the judgment
The tribunal's written judgment sets out what they decided and — critically — why. The reasoning matters: it tells you whether the decision turned on the facts, the law, or procedural issues. This determines what your options are going forward.
Read and understand the judgment
The tribunal's written judgment sets out what they decided and — critically — why. The reasoning matters: it tells you whether the decision turned on the facts, the law, or procedural issues. This determines what your options are going forward.
Enforcement if your employer doesn't pay
If the tribunal awarded compensation and your employer doesn't pay within the timeframe specified, you can apply for enforcement. This can be done through the county court (using a standard enforcement process) or through ACAS's penalty scheme, which can result in a financial penalty on top of the original award.
Consider whether an appeal has merit
Appeals go to the Employment Appeal Tribunal and can only be made on a point of law — for example, if the tribunal misapplied a legal test, failed to follow a fair procedure, or reached a conclusion that no reasonable tribunal could have reached on the evidence. Disagreeing with how the tribunal assessed the facts is not grounds for appeal.
Act within 42 days
The deadline for submitting an appeal is 42 days from the date the written judgment was sent to you — not from the date you received it. This deadline is strictly enforced. If you're considering an appeal, getting the timeline right from the outset is essential.
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Common questions
Questions people ask at this stage
You have two main routes. You can register the tribunal award with the county court and use standard enforcement methods (bailiffs, attachment of earnings, charging orders). Alternatively, you can report the non-payment to ACAS, which can impose a financial penalty on the employer — up to 50% of the unpaid amount on top of the original award. You can pursue both routes.
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Build on real situations - giving you grounded insight in what actually happens
Reviewed by a practising SRA-regulated employment solicitor - ensuring the information on our platform is accurate and reliable
Ministry of Justice LawTech Programme - accepted into the MoJ's programme supporting innovation in access to justice
Justice Technology Association member - committed to ethical, responsible legal technology
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