In England and Wales there are Employment Tribunals. These are run by a government appointed judges in an informal manner that should let people represent thems

In England and Wales there are Employment Tribunals. These are run by a government appointed judges in an informal manner that should let people represent themselves. They include a conciliation service. There are time limits on when a claim can be made and - if monetary compensation is ordered - how much can be paid out [1][2]. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/problems-at-work/employment-tribunals/understanding-employment-tribunals/ https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/work/problems-at-work/empl... In 2012 the government imposed a £1200 (from memory) fee for taking a case to tribunal. So a low wage employee without union representation who was harassed out of a job or unfairly dismissed would have to: File a complaint while looking for a new job. Pay the fees during or after a period of involuntary unemployment. Prepare their case while working their new job. Arrange time off for themselves (and witnesses) and pay for transport to the hearing(s). Make their case. Possibly receive compensation totalling a few thousand pounds. Claims dropped a lot and it was five years before the Supreme Court told the government to knock it off. It's rough (and precarious) at the bottom. There have also been large cut backs in legal aid for dealing with the "proper" courts (and not just for civil cases[3]). [1] The tribunal can also order an unfair employer to give the employee their job back or change their employment conditions. [2] I think there are differences for cases involving some forms of discrimination. [3] https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/nigel-evans-rues-backing-for-legal-aid-cuts/5040864.fullarticle https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/law/nigel-evans-rues-backing-fo... Edit: formatting.