According to existing rules, employers cannot seek any form of financial recompense following a tribunal if they had legal representation during the tribunal.

The BPIF provides legal counsel and representation services for printers as part of its membership fee, which then prevents them from claiming for any losses incurred. The costs in terms of management time for defending tribunals can be considerable, the BPIF said.

The BPIF is adamant that members should have the right to claim for their losses.

Head of the BPIFs legal department Anne Copley commented: It costs just as much to defend a vexatious, frivolous or misconceived case [as a justified one].

Copley added that employers should be put on an equal footing with other parties in tribunals.