The outbreak of COVID-19 is affecting all sectors of business including the legal sector. CWU Legal Services, UnionLine & UnionLine Scotland are no exception to the measures outlined by Government and Public Health experts. We therefore want to reassure our branches and members that we shall be continuing to maintain a service to you albeit much reduced.
Whilst this situation remains extremely fluid, we wanted to take this opportunity to share an update on the measures we are taking whilst protecting the health and well-being of our employees in both CWU Legal Services & UnionLine.
CWU Legal Service – we ask both branches and members to limit any legal enquires to those of an urgent nature whilst the Government’s restrictions are in place. We would also ask that any enquires are conducted via email for the time being. If your enquiry is relating to an employment law matter could you please use the following: employmentlaw@cwu.org
If your matter is relating to personal injury could you use the following: personalinjury@cwu.org
Members can register any PI claim via the Unionline link found on the CWU web page, rather then submit the usual LS3s.
UnionLine – All departments will be staffed to a minimum as many of our staff are able to work remotely from home. This will ensure members cases will continue to be worked on via our on-line claims management software. We would ask members to please limit any contact with UnionLine and in the first instance contact CWU Legal Services on the two email addresses above.
Employment Tribunal Hearings – It has also been confirmed today (Thursday) 19th March 2020 that In view of the rapidly changing circumstances created by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Presidents of the Employment Tribunals in England & Wales and in Scotland have directed that from Monday 23 March 2020 all in-person hearings (hearings where the parties are expected to be in attendance at a tribunal hearing centre) will be converted to a case management hearing by telephone or other electronic means which will take place (unless parties are advised otherwise) on the first day allocated for the hearing. If the case is set down for more than one day then parties should proceed on the basis that the remainder of the days fixed have been cancelled.
This direction also applies to any hearing that is already in progress on Monday 23 March 2020 and, if not already addressed before then, the parties may assume that the hearing on that day is converted to a case management hearing of the kind referred to above.
On behalf of CWU Legal Services & UnionLine may I thank you for your patience during this incredibly difficult and challenging time and we hope you and your families stay safe and well.
Tony Rupa
Head of Legal Services