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 make a decision about 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, a judge will make a decision in 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 Federal Circuit 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