Can My Representative or Witness Attend the Employment Tribunal Hearing?

Public Preliminary Hearings, and Final Hearings, are generally held in public, so you can be accompanied by others. Case Management Hearings, are conducted in private, but, again, you can be accompanied by a representative or a friend.

Who Can Attend Your Hearing: Key Roles

Representatives: Your support in the room You're allowed to bring a representative—such as a friend, union official, or McKenzie Friend—who can sit beside you and whisper advice. They're not usually allowed to speak unless the judge explicitly gives permission. Solicitors or barristers can speak for their clients but aren't mandatory if you're self-represented.

Witnesses: Giving evidence in person Anyone who has provided a witness statement for a final or Public Preliminary Hearing, may attend to give evidence and can, if they want to, stay for the whole hearing. You must let the tribunal know beforehand how many witnesses you plan to bring, as this will affect the length of the hearing. Witnesses are discussed at the case management hearing.

Preparing to Bring Witnesses

Witness orders: bringing in reluctant individuals If someone won't attend voluntarily, you can apply to the tribunal for a "witness order" by explaining the evidence they'll provide and why it matters. Although not common, it can result in fines for non-attendance.

Things to do before hearing day

• Exchange witness statements in advance.
• Let the tribunal know how many witnesses and representatives will come.
• Confirm logistics—like seating arrangements and timing, especially for multi-day hearings.

What Happens on Hearing Day

Before giving evidence Before the hearing starts, everyone, including witnesses, wait in separate claimant or respondent rooms. When the hearing starts everyone is permitted into the tribunal room where they may watch other evidence being given.

Giving evidence When it's their turn, each witness goes to the stand, takes an oath or affirmation, and answers questions. Their written statement is taken as read—they don't read it aloud unless asked. Expect both cross-examination by the other side and follow-up questions ("re-examination") from your side, with further questions from the tribunal if needed.

Online Hearings: Virtual Attendance Rules

If your tribunal is remote, witnesses and representatives attend via the official platform (CVP or telephone). Witness mix-ups and interruptions are common, so prepare witnesses to mute mic when not speaking, arrive early, and have documents ready digitally. At the case management hearing orders for any remote hearing that specify what is expected of any witness attending by video.

Why Bringing the Right People Matters

Impact on credibility and outcome Tribunals place far more weight on statements from individuals who actually turn up and give live evidence—especially in person or via video. Those who don't attend are seen as less reliable. See my resource on Witness Statements and attendance.

Emotional and practical support Representatives and witnesses can ease stress, clarify your position, and back up your version of events. Having someone there can help you feel more confident and less isolated.