Can a tribunal reject my case without a full hearing?

Yes, the tribunal chair can send your claim back to you unheard if he or she thinks that you have failed to go through the appropriate statutory workplace grievance procedure before going to the tribunal.

The Tribunal could also decide, when it looks at the initial paperwork or on the application of the Respondent, that your claim may not have reasonable prospects of success. It will then send out a notice that a pre-hearing review will take place.

If the Tribunal decides that your claim has little prospects of being successful at a full hearing they have the power to order you to pay a deposit of up to £500, which you will lose if you lose the case. The Tribunal is willing to take into consideration evidence on the claimant’s means (for example if you have been dismissed and not found another job it could be harsh to order a £500 deposit order). The Tribunal has the power to 'strike out' weak cases at a preliminary stage.