London East Employment Tribunal — Stratford Hearing Centre Guide

London East serves east London and parts of Essex from its modern hearing centre in Stratford. Excellent transport links and reasonable wait times make it an accessible option for claimants across the capital's east side.

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Can I reach London East if I live in central or west London?

The Elizabeth line makes central London-to-Stratford travel easy, but if your employer and residence are in central or west London, you might request London Central or London South instead.

What if my employer is based in west London but I work in east London?

The tribunal looks at where the employment is based and where the parties are located. If the bulk of your work was in east London, London East is appropriate. Contact HMCTS if there’s doubt.

Is there parking at Stratford?

Limited pay-and-display parking is available, typically £2–4 per hour. However, Stratford’s transport links (Elizabeth line, DLR, Overground, National Rail) are excellent, so public transport is strongly recommended.

How long does it take from Stratford station to the tribunal?

Usually 5–15 minutes’ walk from Stratford station to the hearing centre. Check your hearing notice for directions and allow at least 15–20 minutes to be safe.

Can I request a virtual hearing at London East?

Yes. Virtual hearings are increasingly common and a good option if travel is difficult or witness attendance would be problematic. Request this in writing to HMCTS as early as possible.

What if I can’t travel from Essex due to the distance?

Virtual hearings are a real option. Some parts of your hearing (for example opening and evidence) might be by video conference. Discuss this with HMCTS when your hearing is listed.

London East Employment Tribunal — Stratford Hearing Centre Guide

Last updated: April 2026

About London East Employment Tribunal

London East covers east London (Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Barking, Dagenham, Waltham Forest) and parts of Essex. The tribunal is based in Stratford, one of London's most modern and best-connected areas. The Elizabeth line, DLR, Overground, and National Rail services all pass through Stratford, making it exceptionally accessible from across east London and Essex.

The Stratford hearing centre is a purpose-built, contemporary facility. It handles the full range of employment tribunal claims — unfair dismissal, discrimination, wage disputes, working time violations, and more. Wait times at London East are generally slightly shorter than London Central, partly because case volume is lower and partly because the tribunal is efficiently managed.

Stratford has undergone significant regeneration and is now a major transport hub and business centre. The hearing centre sits within easy reach of growing employment sectors in the area — tech, finance, healthcare, and logistics — and serves a geographically large but well-connected region.

📍 Find the exact address and contact details:

London East Employment Tribunal is based in Stratford, but always check the HMCTS website for the current building address and any arrangements specific to your hearing.

Check GOV.UK for current address and contact details →

What to expect on the day

Stratford station — your transport hub

Stratford is one of London's busiest transport interchanges. The Elizabeth line connects Stratford to central London, the West End, and beyond. The Overground serves east and north London. The DLR connects to Bank, Tower Gateway, and other central London points. National Rail services run to Essex and beyond. If you're in east London or Essex, Stratford is likely the most straightforward way to reach the tribunal. Allow 15–30 minutes from Stratford station to the tribunal, depending on your exact location and transport mode.

The Stratford facility is modern, well-organized, and welcoming. Multiple hearing rooms are spread across the building. Reception staff are helpful. The centre has adequate facilities — toilets, water, seating areas. The hearing rooms are professional but informal, designed to be accessible for self-represented claimants as well as those with legal representation.

What you'll experience

You'll check in at reception, wait briefly, then be called into your hearing room. The judge sits at the front with lay members on either side. The respondent or their representative sits opposite. Witnesses sit to the side. The atmosphere is businesslike but not intimidating. You'll give your evidence, be cross-examined, and hear the other side's case. It's a formal legal process, but employment tribunals are accessible to people representing themselves.

Full hearings typically run 9:30am to 5pm with a lunch break (usually 1–2pm). Preliminary hearings are shorter — 30 minutes to 2 hours. Your hearing notice will specify the expected duration. Most hearings finish by 4:30pm or earlier.

Parking and facilities

Stratford has limited pay-and-display parking, but it's not the best option — parking can be expensive and difficult. Public transport is far superior. If you do drive, allow extra time and expect to pay £2–4 per hour. The hearing centre is close to Stratford station (5–10 minutes' walk), so arriving by Elizabeth line, DLR, or Overground is the sensible choice. Toilets, water, and seating are all available inside the centre.

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While you wait — typical timescales

London East generally has shorter wait times than London Central. Currently, expect 12–18 months from claim submission to full hearing for most cases. Preliminary hearings are typically listed within 4–6 months. These timescales vary depending on case complexity and tribunal resources, but London East tends to be one of the more efficient venues.

During the wait, you'll exchange evidence with the respondent. There may be case management discussions or applications. Many cases settle during this period — settlement discussions are common and often productive, given the costs and stress of a full hearing.

Keep in touch with HMCTS if you haven't heard about listing within a reasonable timeframe. Staying flexible about hearing dates can sometimes help speed up listing.

Organizing your evidence

Gather your employment contract, payslips, timesheets, emails, text messages, letters of termination or resignation, grievance and disciplinary records, performance reviews, and any relevant witness statements. Organize these in chronological order in a neat bundle. Number the pages and cross-reference them to your written case summary. The tribunal and respondent will expect to follow a clear, organized document.

Colleagues or others who witnessed the relevant events can provide statements supporting your version of events. Statements should be typed, dated, signed, and dated. They carry weight as evidence, though the respondent can cross-examine on them. Make sure statements are detailed and honest — vague or obviously exaggerated statements undermine your case.

Your own written statement

You'll give evidence in person at the hearing, but a written statement setting out your version of events in detail is important. It forms part of the evidence and helps you remember key points when you're in the hearing room.

Legal representation

Many claimants at London East represent themselves. If you can afford it, an employment solicitor or barrister is valuable — they know procedural rules, can draft written submissions, and cross-examine witnesses effectively. Trade unions often provide representation to members. Legal aid is rarely available for tribunal claims.

Your written submissions

A skeleton argument or written case summary explaining your legal claim and how your evidence supports it is helpful. This doesn't need to be long or fancy, just logical and clear. It helps the tribunal follow your case and shows you've thought through the legal issues.

Frequently Asked Questions

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