Pictured above: Ginny Hallam, head of employment at law firm Berryman which is running a mock tribunal event next month

Employment lawyers at Berryman are to host a 'Mock Tribunal' day to help employers gain invaluable knowledge and experience of how to prepare for and what to expect in the event of a tribunal hearing. 

The session will also include user-friendly training focused on the themes scheduled for the Mock Tribunal scenario. 

"For anyone in a senior position within an organisation who may be required to act as a witness for the company at a tribunal as part of their day to day responsibility for employees, this highly interactive session will be invaluable," comments Ginny Hallam, head of employment at Berryman.

"Employment tribunals can be challenging, expensive and a daunting experience that can often be avoided if the right steps were taken in the first place. Our Mock Tribunal will make employers feel better equipped should they be faced with an employment tribunal, help them understand what policies and procedures need to be in place to help mitigate the risk of an employment tribunal, and enhance their understanding of any implications their actions can have in defending the organisation."

The event comes at a time when statistics indicate a surge in employment tribunal claims. Ginny comments: "The current economic climate has created difficult workplace challenges for managers, HR professionals and employees. Latest figures from the Tribunals Service* illustrate this, with more than 50,000 cases for unfair dismissal, over 10,000 cases over redundancy pay and more than 11,000 for redundancy involving a failure to inform and consult."

Jane Rawden, Berryman's Strategic HR Director who is running the session alongside the firm's Associate employment lawyer Roscoe Fernandes, adds: "Our Mock Tribunal is a unique opportunity to gain a rare insight into how employee relations are tested in a tribunal hearing, but also the key HR processes required for an organisation to alleviate risk at a tribunal by appreciating their role, as well as the real costs to the business if they should get it wrong."

Delegates will debate and challenge contentious issues as the tribunal unfolds, problem-solving and the importance of adopting an attention-to-detail approach in the workplace.

"Delegates will also be subject to thorough questioning by one of our employment law team, who will act as an exceptional Judge during the mock tribunal hearing," explains Ginny.

The Berryman Mock Tribunal takes place on Thursday 27th May 2010 at Berryman's offices in Friar Lane, Nottingham and costs £199 + VAT per place. For more information, contact Senita Vohra, Tel: 0845 310 7251, email: senita.vohra@berryman.co.uk