The tribunal can decide, when it looks at the initial paperwork or on the application of the Respondent, that there is a preliminary issue to be determined (eg were you an employee?) or that your claim may not have reasonable prospects of success. In that circumstance it may well 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, which you will forfeit if you lose the case. Currently the maximum deposit that can be ordered is £500, however, the Conservative-led Government is consulting about increasing this to £1,000.
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 make a £500 deposit order).
The tribunal also has the power to 'strike out' weak cases at a preliminary stage.
