Shining a Light on Justice, Empowering Your Legal Journey
Written by John Barwell
The respondent named on the ET1 is not a formatting detail. It can affect whether the claim is accepted, whether it matches the Acas certificate, whether it can be served, whether limitation is protected, and whether any judgment can be enforced.
Written by John Barwell
Interim relief is one of the most urgent Employment Tribunal remedies. In qualifying whistleblowing dismissal claims, a claimant may need to apply within seven days of the effective date of termination.
Written by John Barwell
An ET1 is not a diary, grievance bundle, appeal letter or witness statement. It is the pleaded starting point of the Employment Tribunal claim.
Written by John Barwell
Acas Early Conciliation is not just a pre-claim formality. It can pause time and produce the certificate needed for an ET1, but mistakes with certificate numbers, exemptions, respondent names or deadlines can still put a claim at risk.
Written by John Barwell
Do not assume you have six months to bring an Employment Tribunal claim. Current time limits, Acas early conciliation and interim relief still need urgent case-specific checking.
Written by John Barwell
When I wrote The Chimp, The Computer, and The LiP, I drew heavily on The Chimp Paradox, a book that explains how emotions and logic collide under pressure. The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene serves a similar purpose—especially for Litigants in Person (LiPs) navigating high-stakes litigation. Legal battles often feel overwhelming due to procedural complexities, tight deadlines, and aggressive opposition. Greene’s insights on power dynamics can help LiPs maintain strategic control without falling into ethical traps. This article explores five of his most relevant “laws,” adapted for self-representation, ensuring compliance with court rules while maximizing tactical advantage.
Written by John Barwell
In an era where justice is increasingly elusive, a disturbing trend has emerged—not from misguided litigants in person (LiPs), but from the legal teams representing powerful respondents.
Written by John Barwell
Learn practical steps to navigate ACAS and Employment Tribunals as a Litigant in Person and overcome the challenges of self-representation.
