Pictured above: Mark Ridley, associate and head of employment law at Station Square-based Coventry legal firm Band Hatton

Proposed changes to laws surrounding employment tribunals could help protect employers against frivolous unfair dismissal claims according to a leading West Midlands law firm.

The Government have announced those wishing to make a claim for unfair dismissal may have to pay a fee before taking legal action. Plans have also been unveiled to increase the time an employee must have been in a job before they are eligible to make a claim from one year to two.

Mark Ridley, associate and head of employment law at Coventry-based legal firm Band Hatton, said: "These changes are positive for employers and should go some way to eliminating the time-consuming and costly processes associated with defending against frivolous claims.

"Official figures show that the number of tribunal claims rose by 56 per cent last year to a record 236,000.

"Therefore any proposal which can reduce the costs associated with these claims and cut some of the red tape surrounding businesses is likely to be welcomed by employers."

Another change proposed is the introduction of compulsory referral to the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) to try alternative methods of dispute resolution prior to initiating legal proceedings.

It has also been suggested that employment judges will now take decisions alone rather than as part of a three-person panel as is currently the case.

"The introduction of compulsory conciliation should prevent many cases from reaching the court room, which will have the benefit of reducing time and financial costs.

"A compulsory fee for those pursuing the claim, which some have speculated could be as much as £500, should also help to deter frivolous claims and avoid the possibility of employers feeling pressured to settle cases which should not have been brought in the first instance.

"These are significant changes which could have a real impact on employers and I would urge anyone who may be affected by these proposals to seek professional guidance at the earliest opportunity."