Imagine facing a legal bill of £100,000. That's what
happened to Ms Doyle after losing her breach of contract, race
discrimination and victimisation claims. The hearing had lasted
seven days and involved seven other parties and at the end of it
all Ms Doyle was ordered to pay the entire costs.
She appealed, saying that the conduct of the case didn't
warrant the costs order. The tribunal was also wrong, she said, not
to have had regard to her ability to pay.
The Employment Tribunal Appeal agreed with her second point. The
tribunal was within its rights to order costs, but was wrong not to
have looked into Ms Doyle's means before making the order. That
was the case even though she was legally represented.
