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Employment Tribunal Expenses UK: What You Can Claim

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Part ofEmployment Tribunals UK

Written by Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)
Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice.
Updated June 2026 · England & Wales
If you have been asked to attend an employment tribunal as a party or a witness, you may be out of pocket before the hearing even starts. Train tickets, fuel, a night in a hotel, a day away from work, childcare cover: the costs add up quickly. The good news is that the tribunal service runs a scheme to help people recover certain reasonable costs of attending, so that money worries do not stop people from taking part in the process. This page walks through what can usually be claimed, who is eligible, the paperwork involved, and the practical steps to get reimbursed. It is written for England, Wales and Scotland, where the main employment tribunal rules apply. If you want to talk your situation through before the hearing, our adviser line is at the bottom of the page.

Overview

Employment tribunal expenses and allowances are payments the tribunal service can make to individuals who have to attend a hearing, either as a claimant, a respondent, or a witness. They are not compensation and they are not linked to who wins the case.

The scheme is there to cover reasonable out-of-pocket costs that arise directly from attending, such as getting there, staying overnight if the journey makes that necessary, and making up some income lost while away from paid work. Care costs for children or dependent adults can also fall within the scheme where attendance means the usual carer has to pay someone else.

The tribunal sets limits on most categories and expects claims to be supported by receipts, tickets, or a signed employer statement where relevant. Claims are made after attendance, using the form provided by the tribunal office, and payments are usually made by bank transfer. The scheme does not cover legal fees, representation costs, or preparation time spent away from the hearing itself.

Key steps

  1. Check whether you qualify before the hearing. The scheme is aimed at parties and witnesses required at the tribunal. Legal representatives, expert witnesses giving paid evidence, and anyone attending purely to observe are generally not covered. If you are unsure which category you fall into, ask the tribunal office in writing before the hearing date so there are no surprises afterwards.
  2. Keep every receipt and ticket from the start. The tribunal will usually want evidence for each item you claim, so hold on to train tickets, bus fares, hotel invoices, taxi receipts where public transport was not practical, and proof of childcare or adult care payments. Take a photo of paper receipts as a backup. Without documentation the office may reject or reduce what you are asking for.
  3. Ask your employer for a loss of earnings letter. If you are losing pay to attend, your employer will normally need to confirm in writing how much income you are losing for the day or days involved. Self-employed claimants usually need to provide their own statement with supporting evidence such as recent invoices or accounts. Arrange this in advance rather than scrambling on the day.
  4. Complete the expenses form on the hearing day. The tribunal office at the hearing venue will have the claim form, and staff can often help you fill it in while you are there. Attach your receipts and employer letter, sign it, and hand it in before you leave. Filing on the day reduces the risk of losing paperwork or forgetting details later.
  5. Wait for the tribunal to process the payment. Once your claim is checked, payment is normally made by bank transfer within a few weeks. If amounts are queried or reduced, the tribunal will write to you with a reason. You can ask for a review if you think something has been missed, but keep your tone factual and attach any further evidence that supports the claim.

Common questions

If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £149.

Common questions

Q Who can claim expenses from an employment tribunal?
Claimants, respondents who are individuals, and witnesses required to attend a hearing can usually claim. Paid legal representatives and people attending as observers are not covered by the scheme. Expert witnesses who are being paid for their evidence fall outside it too. If you are unsure whether your role qualifies, contact the tribunal office before the hearing so you know where you stand.
Q Does the tribunal pay for my solicitor or barrister?
No. The expenses scheme is about the personal costs of attending, not legal representation. Fees for solicitors, barristers, paralegals, or lay representatives are not reimbursed through this route. In some cases a tribunal can make a separate costs order against a party who has behaved unreasonably, but that is a different process with its own rules and is relatively uncommon.
Q Can I claim for lost wages if I used paid holiday to attend?
Generally no. The loss of earnings allowance is there to help people who have actually lost income because they were away from work. If your employer paid you as normal, or you used paid annual leave or paid special leave, you have not suffered a financial loss the tribunal needs to replace. Unpaid leave and unpaid absences are the usual basis for a loss of earnings claim.
Q How much can I claim for travel and accommodation?
The tribunal sets limits for travel rates, overnight accommodation, and subsistence, and these are reviewed from time to time. Claims for public transport are usually expected to be at standard fare, and mileage is paid at a set rate per mile. For the current amounts and caps, check the guidance on gov.uk or ask the tribunal office before you book, especially for hotels.
Q What if I need to pay for childcare to attend?
Reasonable care costs for children or dependent adults can often be claimed where attending the hearing means you have to pay someone else to provide care you would normally give yourself. You will need a receipt or signed statement from the carer showing the amount paid and the hours covered. Informal unpaid arrangements with family or friends generally cannot be claimed in the same way.
Q When do I need to submit my claim?
The tribunal prefers claims to be made on the day of the hearing, using the form available at the venue. If that is not possible, send it in as soon as you can afterwards. Leaving it for months makes it harder to evidence and may cause the claim to be refused. Keep a copy of everything you send, including receipts, in case the office asks follow-up questions.
Q Does the scheme work the same way in Scotland?
Employment tribunals operate across Great Britain, and the expenses scheme applies in Scotland as well as England and Wales. Northern Ireland has a separate industrial tribunals system with its own rules. If your hearing is in Belfast rather than Glasgow, Cardiff, or Manchester, check the guidance for the Northern Ireland tribunals rather than assuming the same figures and forms apply.
If you're dealing with this kind of situation, a call with an experienced legal adviser can help you work out the right next step — from £149.

Sources

This guide is based on primary UK law and official guidance.

Brad Askew, Solicitor (non-practising)

Written & reviewed by

Brad Askew Solicitor (non-practising)

Brad is on the roll of solicitors of England & Wales but does not hold a practising certificate and does not provide legal advice. LegalDocuments.co.uk is not a law firm and does not provide regulated legal advice.

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Legal disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is a tool to help you find your way — not legal advice, and not a substitute for speaking to a qualified adviser about your situation.