Hearing - General protections dismissal​

What is a hearing?

A hearing is where you and the employer each present your side of the story to the Judge and ask them to decide your case.

A hearing is the next step if you and your employer cannot come to an agreement at mediation. A hearing date will be set on a different day, usually several months after the mediation has taken place.

At a hearing, you will be given a chance to present your evidence (including any witnesses). The employer will also have the chance to present their evidence. After this, the Judge will decide your case and make orders. The orders made could include an order that:

• you be reinstated to your job
• you be paid compensation
• your employer pay a fine (penalty)
• you get paid some of your legal costs.

Preparing for hearing

Before the hearing you should start preparing your case. The Court will make directions telling you:

• the date of the hearing
  
• what you must do before the hearing (for example, file witness statements by a certain date).
  

Step by step guide: Preparing for the hearing

Presenting your case at hearing

Before you go to the hearing, you need to understand how a hearing works and plan how you are going to present your case.

Step by step guide: Presenting your case at the hearing