This is a special kind of relief you can apply for from the tribunal when you believe you have been dismissed for one of a list of specific reasons, including:

• acting as a health and safety rep;
• engaging in lawful trade union duties or activities;
• acting as a trustee of an occupational pension scheme;
• acting as a rep for collective consultation over redundancies or TUPE; or
• whistleblowing.

If you think you are eligible for interim relief, both you and your union, if you are a member, must act very quickly indeed. A claim for interim relief must be brought within seven days of dismissal. Acas early conciliation does not apply to this kind of claim.

Where your claim is trade union-related, your application will need to be supported by a certificate from your union.

If the tribunal grants an interim relief order, this can have significant benefits for any tribunal claim, In particular, it means that the employer must continue paying your wages until the tribunal hearing or any settlement.