Employment Tribunals Act 1996, section 21

Jurisdiction of Appeal Tribunal

Part II The Employment Appeal Tribunal

(1)An appeal lies to the Appeal Tribunal on any question of law arising from any decision of, or arising in any proceedings before, an [F228employment tribunalF228] under or by virtue of—

F229(a). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F229(b). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F229(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(d)M15 the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992,

F230(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(f)M16 the Employment Rights Act 1996F231[F232 . . .

(fg)F233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F234 (g)this Act,F234]

(ga)the National Minimum Wage Act 1998,

(gb)the Employment Relations Act 1999,F232]

[F235 (gc)the Equality Act 2006,F235]

[F236 (gd)the Pensions Act 2008,F236]

[F237 (ge)the Equality Act 2010,F237]

[F238 (gf)Part 5 of the Employment Rights Act 2025,F238]

[F239 (h)the Working Time Regulations 1998, F240. . .

(i)the Transnational Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 1999F239]F241[F242 . . .

(j)the Part-time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000F242]F243[F244 . . .

(k)the Fixed-term Employees (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2002F244]F245[F246 . . .

(l)F247. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F246]

[F248 (m)F249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F248]

[F250 (n)the Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003F250]F251[F252 . . .

(o)the European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 2004F252]

[[F253,F254 (p)F254] the Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004F253]F255[F256 . . .

(q)the Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004F256][F257 , F258. . .

(r)the Schedule to the Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006F257]F259[F260 . . .

(s)F261. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F260]

[F262 (t)F263the European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006F262] ...

F264(u). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F265 (v)the Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008F265][F266 , F267...

(w)the European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Great Britain) Regulations 2009(S.I. 2009/2401).F266][F268 , F269...

(x)the Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010.F268][F270 , F271...

(y)the Agency Workers Regulations 2010.F270][F272 , orF272]

[F273 (z)the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/58).F273]

(2)No appeal shall lie except to the Appeal Tribunal from any decision of an [F228employment tribunalF228] under or by virtue of the Acts listed [F274or the Regulations referred toF274] in subsection (1).

(3)Subsection (1) does not affect any provision contained in, or made under, any Act which provides for an appeal to lie to the Appeal Tribunal (whether from an [F228employment tribunalF228] , the Certification Officer or any other person or body) otherwise than on a question to which that subsection applies.

[F275 (4)The Appeal Tribunal also has any jurisdiction in respect of matters other than appeals which is conferred on it by or under—

(a)the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992,

(b)this Act, or

(c)any other Act.F275]

Definitions used in section 21 3

the Appeal Tribunal

“the Appeal Tribunal” means the Employment Appeal Tribunal,

Defined in s.42(1) · see it in the full Act
employment

“employment” means employment under a contract of employment and “employed” shall be construed accordingly,

Defined in s.42(1) · see it in the full Act
Certification Officer

“Certification Officer” shall be construed in accordance with section 254 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 ,

Defined in s.42(1) · see it in the full Act

Cases considering section 21 131

Reilly v Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

[2018] UKSC 16 · 14 March 2018Limits

An appeal from an Employment Tribunal lies only on a point of law. An appellate body may therefore intervene only where the tribunal’s decision was not open to it, absent procedural error (see para [23]).

Stephen Sullivan v Bury Street Capital Limited

[2021] EWCA Civ 1694 · 16 November 2021Limits

The court confirmed that an appeal from an Employment Tribunal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal lies only on a question of law. Disagreement with sustainable factual findings cannot found such an appeal. (see paras [36]-[44])

Owen v AMEC Foster Wheeler Energy Ltd & Anor

[2019] EWCA Civ 822 · 14 May 2019

The Court applied the rule that an appeal from an Employment Tribunal to the Employment Appeal Tribunal lies only on a question of law. The assessment of what adjustment is reasonable remained a matter of fact and degree (see paras [80]-[81]).

111 more judgments, and what each says about section 21, are in the case-law panel in the full Act.

Amendments and notes

50 notes from legislation.gov.uk

Amendments

  1. F228Words in s. 21 substituted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 1(2)(a) (with s. 16(2)); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
  2. F229S. 21(1)(a)(b)(c) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 32(a), Sch. 27 Pt 1 (as amended) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)
  3. F230S. 21(1)(e) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 32(a), Sch. 27 Pt 1 (as amended) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)
  4. F231Word at the end of s. 21(1)(f) repealed (1.11.1998) by 1998 c. 39, s. 53, Sch. 3 (with s. 36); S.I. 1998/2574, art. 2(1), Sch. 1
  5. F232S. 21(1)(g) and word “or" immediately preceding inserted (retrospectively) by 1998 c. 8, ss. 15, 17(3), Sch. 1 para. 17(1)(2)
  6. F233S. 21(1)(fg) inserted (5.10.1999) by 1999 c. 10, ss. 7, 19(4), 20(2), Sch. 3 para. 5, Sch. 6 and repealed (6.4.2003) by 2002 c. 21, ss. 60, 61, Sch. 6; S.I. 2003/962, art. 2(3)(e), Sch. 1 (subject to arts. 3, 4)
  7. F234S. 21(1)(g)(ga)(gb) substituted (1.10.2004) for s. 21(1)(ff)(g) by Employment Relations Act 2004 (c. 24), ss. 38, 59; S.I. 2004/2566, art. 3(a)
  8. F235S. 21(1)(gc) inserted (30.4.2007) by Equality Act 2006 (c. 3), ss. 40, 93, Sch. 3 para. 57; S.I. 2007/1092, art. 2(e)
  9. F236S. 21(1)(gd) inserted (30.6.2012) by Pensions Act 2008 (c. 30), ss. 59, 149(1); S.I. 2012/1682, art. 2, Sch. 2
  10. F237S. 21(1)(ge) inserted by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 32(b) (as amended) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)
  11. F238S. 21(1)(gf) inserted (7.4.2026) by Employment Rights Act 2025 (c. 36), s. 159(3), Sch. 10 para. 68(4) (with s. 147, Sch. 11); S.I. 2026/323, reg. 4(1)(55)(c)
  12. F239S. 21(1)(h)(i) substituted (15.1.2000) for words at the end of subsection (1) by S.I. 1999/3323, reg. 35(3)
  13. F240Word at the end of s. 21(1)(h) omitted (1.7.2000) by virtue of S.I. 2000/1551, reg. 10, Sch. para. 1(b)(i)
  14. F241Word at the end of s. 21(1)(i) omitted (1.10.2002) by virtue of S.I. 2002/2034, reg. 11 Sch. 2 para. 2(b)(i)
  15. F242S. 21(1)(j) and word “or" immediately preceding it inserted (1.7.2000) by S.I. 2000/1551, reg. 10, Sch. para. 1(b)(ii)
  16. F243Word at the end of s. 21(1)(j) omitted (1.12.2003) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1661), reg. 39, Sch. 5 para. 1(b)(i)
  17. F244S. 21(1)(k) inserted (1.10.2002) by S.I. 2002/2034, reg. 11 Sch. 2 para. 2(b)(ii)
  18. F245Word at the end of s. 21(1)(k) omitted (2.12.2003) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1660), reg. 39(2), Sch. 5 para. 1(b)(i)
  19. F246S. 21(1)(l) and preceding word inserted (1.12.2003) by The Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1661), reg. 39, Sch. 5 para. 1(b)(ii)
  20. F247S. 21(1)(l) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 32(a), Sch. 27 Pt 1 (as amended) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)
  21. F248S. 21(1)(m) and preceding word inserted (2.12.2003) by The Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/1660), reg. 39(2), Sch. 5 para. 1(b)(ii)
  22. F249S. 21(1)(m) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 32(a), Sch. 27 Pt 1 (as amended) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)
  23. F250S. 21(1)(n) inserted (24.12.2003) by The Merchant Shipping (Working Time: Inland Waterways) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/3049), reg. 20, Sch. 2 para. 2(3)
  24. F251Word at the end of s. 21(1)(n) repealed (6.4.2005) by The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3426), reg. 37(a) (with reg. 3)
  25. F252S. 21(1)(o) and preceding word inserted (8.10.2004) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/2326), reg. 49
  26. F253S. 21(1)(o) inserted (16.8.2004) by The Fishing Vessels (Working Time: Sea-fishermen) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/1713), reg. 22, Sch. 2 para.1(3)
  27. F254S. 21(1)(o) renumbered (6.4.2005) as s. 21(1)(p) by virtue of The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3426), reg. 37(b) (with reg. 3)
  28. F255Word at the end of s. 21(1)(p) omitted (6.4.2006) by virtue of The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/349), reg. 17, Sch. para. 10(a) (with reg. 3)
  29. F256S. 21(1)(q) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2004) by The Information and Consultation of Employees Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/3426), reg. 37(c) (with reg. 3)
  30. F257S. 21(1)(r) and preceding word inserted (6.4.2006) by The Occupational and Personal Pension Schemes (Consultation by Employers and Miscellaneous Amendment) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/349), reg. 17, Sch. para. 10(b) (with reg. 3)
  31. F258Word at the end of s. 21(1)(q) omitted (1.10.2006) by virtue of The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 49(1), Sch. 8 para. 20(2) (with reg. 44)
  32. F259Word at the end of s. 21(1)(r) omitted (18.8.2006) by virtue of The European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), reg. 38(a)
  33. F260S. 21(1)(s) and preceding word inserted (1.10.2006) by The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/1031), reg. 49(1), Sch. 8 para. 20(3) (with reg. 44)
  34. F261S. 21(1)(s) repealed by Equality Act 2010 (c. 15), Sch. 26 Pt. 1 para. 32(a), Sch. 27 Pt 1 (as amended) (1.10.2010) by S.I. 2010/2279, art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 5, Sch. 2 (see S.I. 2010/2317, art. 2)
  35. F262S. 21(1)(t) and preceding word inserted (18.8.2006) by The European Cooperative Society (Involvement of Employees) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006/2059), reg. 38(b)
  36. F263Word in s. 21(1)(t) omitted (27.7.2008) by virtue of The Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1660), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 1(b)(i)
  37. F264S. 21(1)(u) omitted (31.12.2020) by virtue of The Companies, Limited Liability Partnerships and Partnerships (Amendment etc.) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 2019/348), reg. 2, Sch. 3 para. 4; 2020 c. 1, Sch. 5 para. 1(1)
  38. F265S. 21(1)(v) and word inserted (27.7.2008) by The Cross-border Railway Services (Working Time) Regulations 2008 (S.I. 2008/1660), reg. 1(1), Sch. 3 para. 1(b)(ii)
  39. F266S. 21(1)(w) and word inserted (1.10.2009) by The European Public Limited-Liability Company (Employee Involvement) (Great Britain) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 2009/2401), regs. 1(2), 36 (with regs. 4, 41)
  40. F267Word in s. 21(1)(v) omitted (2.3.2010) by virtue of The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/493), regs. 1(b), 17(5)(a)
  41. F268S. 21(1)(x) and word inserted (2.3.2010) by The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/493), regs. 1(b), 17(5)(b)
  42. F269Word in s. 21(1)(w) omitted (1.10.2011) by virtue of The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(b)(i)
  43. F270S. 21(1)(y) and word inserted (1.10.2011) by The Agency Workers Regulations 2010 (S.I. 2010/93), reg. 1(1), Sch. 2 para. 8(b)(ii)
  44. F271Word in s. 21(1)(x) omitted (17.3.2014) by virtue of The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 1(3)(a)
  45. F272Word in s. 21(1)(y) inserted (17.3.2014) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 (S.I. 2014/308), reg. 1(2), Sch. para. 1(3)(b)
  46. F273S. 21(1)(z) substituted (6.4.2018) by The Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Hours of Work) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/58), reg. 1, Sch. 2 para. 1(b) (with regs. 3, 4)
  47. F274Words in s. 21(2) inserted (1.10.1998) by S.I. 1998/1833, reg. 34(b)
  48. F275S. 21(4) inserted (1.8.1998) by 1998 c. 8, s. 15, Sch. 1 para. 17(3); S.I. 1998/1658, art. 2(1), Sch. 1

Marginal citations

  1. M151992 c.52
  2. M161996 c.18