Cambridge Employment Tribunal — Guide to Hearings in Cambridge

Serving Cambridgeshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of the East, Cambridge Employment Tribunal handles disputes over dismissal, discrimination, and breach of contract. A guide to your hearing.

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Should I claim at Cambridge or Norwich tribunal?

If you worked in Cambridgeshire, claim at Cambridge. If you worked in Norfolk or Suffolk, claim at Norwich. Both tribunals share some jurisdictional areas — contact either if unsure.

My employer is a university — does that change anything?

No. University employers are subject to the same employment law as any other employer. The tribunal applies identical rules and you should prepare evidence as you would for any case.

Is there parking in Cambridge city centre?

Parking in Cambridge city centre is very limited and expensive. Most people use Park and Ride or take the train. Public transport is strongly recommended.

Can I travel from Peterborough without staying overnight?

Yes. Peterborough is about 30–40 minutes from Cambridge by train. Most claimants travel in on the day of the hearing.

What if my employer is in Hertfordshire?

Hertfordshire is shared between Cambridge and London tribunals. Check your place of work and the employer’s jurisdiction — use the tribunal finder on gov.uk if unsure.

Cambridge Employment Tribunal — Guide to Hearings in Cambridge

Last updated April 2026

About Cambridge Employment Tribunal

Cambridge Employment Tribunal serves Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire (shared), Norfolk, and Suffolk. The tribunal is based in Cambridge city centre with transport links from Cambridge railway station.

Cambridge is home to significant academic, tech, and life sciences employment ("Silicon Fen"). The region has a high concentration of research institutions and biotech companies. Relatively lower case volumes than major cities mean faster processing in some cases.

Getting there: Cambridge station has connections from London, the East Midlands, and across the region. Parking in Cambridge city centre is limited — Park and Ride or train are recommended. The tribunal is accessible by bus and taxi from the station.

Find exact address & contact details

gov.uk/courts-tribunals/employment-tribunal

for the official address, phone number, and email for this tribunal centre.

What Happens on the Day

Arrival and check-in

Arrive 20–30 minutes early. You will check in with the tribunal reception. Have your hearing notice, ET1 (claim form), and any documents with you.

You will sit opposite the respondent (employer or their lawyer). The employment judge will be at the centre, flanked by two tribunal members (lay members). The atmosphere is formal but not as theatrical as a Crown Court.

You will give evidence under oath. The respondent or their lawyer will cross-examine you. Be calm, clear, and refer to dates and documents. Stick to what you witnessed or did — don't speculate.

Witnesses and documents

If you have witnesses, they will give evidence in the same way. All documents (emails, contracts, handbooks) should have been submitted beforehand in an agreed hearing bundle.

The tribunal may announce the decision and reasons immediately, or deliver them in writing within weeks. If you win, they will specify any compensation or remedy (e.g., reinstatement).

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Gather all relevant documents: employment contract, offer letter, payslips, emails about your dismissal or treatment, texts, performance reviews, and any written warnings or disciplinary letters. Organise them in date order.

If you have witnesses (colleagues, friends, family who saw discrimination or unfair treatment), ask them to provide a written statement under oath. It must be clear, factual, and dated.

Before the hearing, both you and the respondent must agree on a bundle of documents. These form the evidence the tribunal will consider. Check it carefully — ensure nothing relevant is missing.

Your witness statement

Write a clear account of what happened, in date order. Courts call this your "statement of facts." Stick to what you know; don't editorialise.

Employment tribunal claims in Cambridge typically take 12–24 months from claim to hearing. This varies depending on caseload and case complexity.

East Anglia has lower case volumes than major urban centres, so wait times can sometimes be shorter than the national average.

ACAS early conciliation can often resolve cases faster — many are settled in the first 3 months.

If you worked in Cambridgeshire, claim at Cambridge. If you worked in Norfolk or Suffolk, claim at Norwich. Check your place of work carefully. Both tribunals share some jurisdictional areas — contact either if unsure.

No. University employers are subject to the same employment law as any other employer. The tribunal applies the same rules to university disputes as to any other case. Ensure you have clear evidence and documentation as you would for any employer.

Parking in Cambridge city centre is very limited and expensive. Most people use Park and Ride from the edge of the city, or take the train. Highly recommend using public transport rather than driving.

Hertfordshire is shared between Cambridge and London tribunals. Check your place of work location and the employer's jurisdiction. Contact the tribunal finder on gov.uk if unsure.

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