CITIZENS Advice Scotland called yesterday for the abolition of employment tribunal fees of up to £1,200 as its research revealed a huge drop in cases since their introduction.

The Price of Justice report, published jointly with Strathclyde University, shows that the number of tribunal cases lodged in Scotland fell by 81 per cent between the first quarters of 2013 and 2014.

“The evidence shows that people have been deterred from taking their grievances to tribunal because they simply can’t afford to pay the fee,” said Citizens Advice Scotland spokeswoman Lauren Wood.

“One of the most worrying aspects of this current situation is that it has altered the balance of power at work, with rogue employers now feeling they can exploit or mistreat their employees without risk of being called to account.”